Two tomato non‐symbiotic haemoglobin genes are differentially expressed in response to diverse changes in mineral nutrient status

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe role of plant non‐symbiotic haemoglobins remains undefined, but recent findings suggest a possible role in plant nitrate nutrition. This study sought to characterize patterns of gene expression for two tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) non‐symbiotic haemoglobin genes, and to examine how diverse changes in nutrient status influences the expression of these two genes. The deduced amino acid sequences of the genes examined, SOLly GLB1 and SOLly GLB2, are 55% identical. SOLly GLB1 mRNA is present in highest abundance in roots and older stems, whereas SOLly GLB2 mRNA abundance is highest in leaves, but detectable in other tissues including roots. The SOLly GLB1 mRNA levels increased rapidly in roots in response to each nutrient treatment examined in hydroponic culture, including the individual removal of phosphate, potassium and iron from the culture medium, as well as by the addition of nitrate. In contrast, the levels of SOLly GLB2 mRNA were not significantly altered in response to these same treatments. These results are the first report that non‐symbiotic haemoglobin gene expression can be influenced by a broad range of changes both in mineral macronutrient and micronutrient status, suggesting a previously unrecognized generic role for non‐symbiotic haemoglobins in processes associated with mineral nutrient nutrition.