Regulation of the inward K~+-channels in stomatal guard cells by cytoskeletal microtubules

Patch clamp techniques were applied to investigating the regulation of the inward K+-channels inVicia stomatal guard cells by cytoskeletal microtubules. The intracellular addition of either microtubule-disassembling reagent amprophos-methyl (APM) or microtubule-stabilizing reagent taxol resulted in significant inhibition of the inward K+-currents across the plasma membranes ofVicia stomatal guard cells. The results suggest that the activation of the inward K+-channels in stomatal guard cells requires proper dynamic organization of cytoskeletal microtubules. The regulation of the inward K+-channels in guard cells by microtubules may mediate the regulation of stomatal movements by cytoskeleton.