Abstract
BackgroundWheat is the staple food for most of the world’s population; however, it is a poor source of zinc. Foliar fertilization of zinc via zinc loaded chitosan nanocarriers (Zn-CNP) post-anthesis has proved to be a promising approach for grain zinc enhancement in durum wheat as evidenced in our earlier study. However, the molecular mechanism of uptake of zinc via Zn-CNP remains unclear.Methods/Principle findingsFoliar application of Zn-CNP was performed at post anthesis stages in two durum wheat cultivars (MACS 3125 and UC1114, containing the Gpc-B1 gene), and expression levels of several metal-related genes were analyzed during early senescence. Zn-CNP application indeed caused changes in gene expression as revealed by qPCR data on representative genes involved in metal homeostasis, phloem transporters, and leaf senescence. Furthermore, zinc-regulated transporters and iron (Fe)-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP) family [ZIP1, ZIP7, ZIP15], CA (carbonic anhydrase), and DMAS (2’-deoxymugineic acid synthase) in flag leaves exhibited significant correlation with zinc content in the seeds. The analysis of grain endosperm proteins showed enhancement of gamma gliadins while other gluten subunits decreased. Gene expression within ZIP family members varied with the type of cultivar mostly attributed to the Gpc-B1, concentration of external zinc ions as well as the type of tissue analyzed. Correlation analysis revealed the involvement of the selected genes in zinc enhancement.ConclusionAt the molecular level, uptake of zinc via Zn-CNP nanocarrier was comparable to the uptake of zinc via common zinc fertilizers i.e. ZnSO4.
Highlights
Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient required for all living organisms
Uptake of zinc via zinc complexed chitosan nanoparticles (Zn-CNP) nanocarrier was comparable to the uptake of zinc via common zinc fertilizers i.e. zinc sulphate (ZnSO4)
Three flag leaves were collected from zinc treated and control plants each at an interval of 7 days beginning with seven days after anthesis (DAA) to 21 DAA
Summary
Zinc plays an important role in the normal physiological process of growth and development [1] It acts as a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes that are involved in different biological processes which include DNA replication, protein, and lipid metabolism and in gene regulation (zinc fingers transcription factors) [2, 3]. Deficiency of this micronutrient causes growth retardation, cognitive impairment, immune dysfunction, mental lethargy, skin related disorders, delayed wound healing, diarrhea in children etc. The molecular mechanism of uptake of zinc via ZnCNP remains unclear
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