Geomagnetic Field (GMF)-Dependent Modulation of Iron-Sulfur Interplay in Arabidopsis thaliana

Gianpiero Vigani,Monirul Islam,Viviana Cavallaro,Fabio F Nocito,Massimo E Maffei

doi:10.3390/ijms221810166

Gianpiero Vigani, Monirul Islam + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221810166

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Abstract

The geomagnetic field (GMF) is an environmental factor affecting the mineral nutrient uptake of plants and a contributing factor for efficient iron (Fe) uptake in Arabidopsis seedlings. Understanding the mechanisms underlining the impact of the environment on nutrient homeostasis in plants requires disentangling the complex interactions occurring among nutrients. In this study we investigated the effect of GMF on the interplay between iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) by exposing Arabidopsis thaliana plants grown under single or combined Fe and S deficiency, to near-null magnetic field (NNMF) conditions. Mineral analysis was performed by ICP-MS and capillary electrophoresis, whereas the expression of several genes involved in Fe and S metabolism and transport was assayed by qRT-PCR. The results show that NNMF differentially affects (i) the expression of some Fe- and S-responsive genes and (ii) the concentration of metals in plants, when compared with GMF. In particular, we observed that Cu content alteration in plant roots depends on the simultaneous variation of nutrient availability (Fe and S) and MF intensity (GMF and NNMF). Under S deficiency, NNMF-exposed plants displayed variations of Cu uptake, as revealed by the expression of the SPL7 and miR408 genes, indicating that S availability is an important factor in maintaining Cu homeostasis under different MF intensities. Overall, our work suggests that the alteration of metal homeostasis induced by Fe and/or S deficiency in reduced GMF conditions impacts the ability of plants to grow and develop.

Highlights

IntroductionUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying the ability of plants to efficiently acquire nutrients from the soil and distribute them among the organs represents a scientific priority [1]
A pair comparison analysis (t-test) revealed that under control (C) and -Fe conditions, both root length and shoot area were affected in near-null magnetic field (NNMF), with respect to geomagnetic field (GMF) (Figure 1)
Since we previously identified a link between Fe and Cu under NNMF conditions [14], we monitored the expression of SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE 7 (SPL7) and miR408, two master regulator genes involved in the cross-link between Fe and Cu homeostasis in plants [16,17]

Summary

Introduction

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the ability of plants to efficiently acquire nutrients from the soil and distribute them among the organs represents a scientific priority [1]. Several environmental factors (abiotic and biotic) affect plant mineral nutrition, and, maintaining the optimal nutrient status allows the plant to respond efficiently to the surrounding environment. Understanding the mechanisms underlining the impact of the environment on nutrient homeostasis in plants requires disentangling the complex interactions occurring among nutrients. In this context, iron (Fe) availability is a good example. Low Fe availability occurs typically in calcareous soils, where Fe

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