Phosphate transport in Arabidopsis: Pht1;1 and Pht1;4 play a major role in phosphate acquisition from both low- and high-phosphate environments

Plant J. 2004 Aug;39(4):629-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2004.02161.x.

Abstract

Of the mineral nutrients essential for plant growth, phosphorus plays the widest diversity of roles and a lack of phosphorus has profound effects on cellular metabolism. At least eight members of the Arabidopsis Pht1 phosphate (Pi) transporter family are expressed in roots and Pht1;1 and Pht1;4 show the highest transcript levels. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of these two genes show extensive overlap. To elucidate the in planta roles of Pht1;1 and Pht1;4, we identified loss-of-function mutants and also created a double mutant, lacking both Pht1;1 and Pht1;4. Consistent with their spatial expression patterns, membrane location and designation as high-affinity Pi transporters, Pht1;1 and Pht1;4 contribute to Pi transport in roots during growth under low-Pi conditions. In addition, during growth under high-Pi conditions, the double mutant shows a 75% reduction in Pi uptake capacity relative to wildtype. Thus, Pht1;1 and Pht1;4 play significant roles in Pi acquisition from both low- and high-Pi environments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Biological Transport
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genome, Plant
  • Mutation
  • Phosphates / metabolism*
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Phosphates