Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is an important macronutrient with critical functions in plants. Phosphate (Pi) transporters, which mediate Pi acquisition and Pi translocation within the plant, are key factors in Pi deficiency responses. However, their relevance for adaptation to long‐term Pi limitation under agronomic conditions, particularly in wheat, remains unknown.Here, we describe the identification of the complete Pi transporter gene family (Pht1) in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Gene expression profiles were compared for hydroponic and field‐grown plant tissues of wheat at multiple development stages. Cis‐element analysis of selected Pht1 promoter regions was performed.A broad range of expression patterns of individual TaPht1 genes was observed in relation to tissue specificity and the nutrient supply in the soil or in liquid culture, as well as an influence of the experimental system.The expression patterns indicate the involvement of specific transporters in Pi uptake, and in Pi transport and remobilisation within the plant, at different growth developmental stages. Specifically, the influence of Pi nutrition indicates a complex regulatory pattern of TaPht1 gene transcript abundances as a response to low Pi availability in different culture systems, correlating with the existence of different cis‐acting promoter elements.
Highlights
Inorganic phosphate (Pi) acquisition in plants is mediated by plasma membrane-localised phosphate transporter (Pht) proteins, which belong to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS), and function as Pi/H+ symporters within high- and low-affinity ranges (Rae et al 2003; Raghothama 2005; Liu et al 2011; Nussaume et al 2011)
The establishment of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis is a well-known adaptation strategy of plants to increase Pi accessibility in low Pi environments (Tarafdar & Marschner 1994; Koide & Kabir 2000), and the expression pattern of some Pht1 transporters is closely related to root AM colonisation in rice, wheat, Brachypodium and Medicago (Harrison et al 2002; Paszkowski et al 2002; Glassop et al 2005; Hong et al 2012)
The differences found in wheat compared to rice, barley and Brachypodium, indicate a complexity of the cereal Pht1 gene family which may be partly explained by additional gene duplication and/or loss of genes during evolution, as seen for the rice or barley or wheat Pht1 in different clusters
Summary
Inorganic phosphate (Pi) acquisition in plants is mediated by plasma membrane-localised phosphate transporter (Pht) proteins, which belong to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS), and function as Pi/H+ symporters within high- and low-affinity ranges (Rae et al 2003; Raghothama 2005; Liu et al 2011; Nussaume et al 2011). The transporters are involved in initial root Pi acquisition as well as Pi translocation throughout the plant. Some Pht transporters are expressed in the root, predominantly in root tips and root hairs (Schu€nmann et al 2004). Such root-expressed Pht transporters have been identified in a broad range of different plant species including wheat, indicating an involvement in initial root Pi uptake from the soil solution (Liu et al 1998; Smith et al 1999; Davies et al 2002; Mudge et al 2002; Nagy et al 2006; Wang et al 2013). The establishment of arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis is a well-known adaptation strategy of plants to increase Pi accessibility in low Pi environments (Tarafdar & Marschner 1994; Koide & Kabir 2000), and the expression pattern of some Pht transporters is closely related to root AM colonisation in rice, wheat, Brachypodium and Medicago (Harrison et al 2002; Paszkowski et al 2002; Glassop et al 2005; Hong et al 2012)
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