Expression Of Sulfate Transporters Research Articles

Transcriptome and co-expression network revealed molecular mechanism underlying selenium response of foxtail millet (Setaria italica).

Selenium-enriched foxtail millet (Setaria italica) represents a functional cereal with significant health benefits for humans. This study endeavors to examine the impact of foliar application of sodium selenite (Na2SeO4) on foxtail millet, specifically focusing on selenium (Se) accumulation and transportation within various plant tissues. To unravel the molecular mechanisms governing selenium accumulation and transportation in foxtail millet, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of selenium content and transcriptome responses in foxtail millet spikelets across different days (3, 5, 7, and 12) under Na2SeO4 treatment (200 μmol/L). Foxtail millet subjected to selenium fertilizer exhibited significantly elevated selenium levels in each tissue compared to the untreated control. Selenate was observed to be transported and accumulated sequentially in the leaf, stem, and spikes. Transcriptome analysis unveiled a substantial upregulation in the transcription levels of genes associated with selenium metabolism and transport, including sulfate, phosphate, and nitrate transporters, ABC transporters, antioxidants, phytohormone signaling, and transcription factors. These genes demonstrated intricate interactions, both synergistic and antagonistic, forming a complex network that regulated selenate transport mechanisms. Gene co-expression network analysis highlighted three transcription factors in the tan module and three transporters in the turquoise module that significantly correlated with selenium accumulation and transportation. Expression of sulfate transporters (SiSULTR1.2b and SiSULTR3.1a), phosphate transporter (PHT1.3), nitrate transporter 1 (NRT1.1B), glutathione S-transferase genes (GSTs), and ABC transporter (ABCC13) increased with SeO4 2- accumulation. Transcription factors MYB, WRKY, and bHLH were also identified as players in selenium accumulation. This study provides preliminary insights into the mechanisms of selenium accumulation and transportation in foxtail millet. The findings hold theoretical significance for the cultivation of selenium-enriched foxtail millet.

Sulfur triggers glutathione and phytochelatin accumulation causing excess Cd bound to the cell wall of roots in alleviating Cd-toxicity in alfalfa

Although Cd is threatening to the environment, animal, and human, the eco-friendly approach to mitigate the Cd-toxicity in alfalfa was barely studied. Therefore, this study aims at elucidating the role of S, a crucial macroelement, in alleviating Cd toxicity in alfalfa plants. The supplementation of S in Cd-stressed alfalfa reversed the detrimental effect on plant biomass, chlorophyll synthesis, and protein concentration. Interestingly, S surplus restored the photosynthetic kinetics, such as Fv/Fm, Pi_ABS, and Mo values in leaves of Cd-stressed alfalfa. Further, Cd-induced adverse effect on membrane stability, cell viability, and redox status was restored due to S under Cd stress. The exogenous S not only increased S status and the expression of sulfate transporters (MsSULRT1;2 and MsSULTR1;3), but also decreased the Cd concentration in the shoot by retaining elevated Cd in root tissue. Further analysis revealed the upregulation of MsGS (glutathione synthetase) and MsPCS1 (phytochelatin synthase) genes along with the increased concentration of glutathione and phytochelatin, predominantly in roots subjected to S surplus under Cd stress. The subcellular Cd analysis showed elevated Cd in the cell wall but not in the vacuole. It suggests that S-induced elevated glutathione enables the phytochelatin to bind with excess Cd leading to subcellular sequestration in the cell wall of roots. Also, S stimulates the S-metabolites and GR enzyme that coordinately counteracts Cd-induced oxidative damage. These findings can be utilized to popularize the application of S and to perform breeding/transgenic experiments to develop Cd-free forage crops.

Sulfate resupply accentuates protein synthesis in coordination with nitrogen metabolism in sulfur deprived Brassica napus

To investigate the regulatory interactions between S assimilation and N metabolism in Brassica napus, de novo synthesis of amino acids and proteins was quantified by 15N and 34S tracing, and the responses of transporter genes, assimilatory enzymes and metabolites pool involving in nitrate and sulfate metabolism were assessed under continuous sulfur supply, sulfur deprivation and sulfate resupply after 3 days of sulfur (S) deprivation. S-deprived plants were characterized by a strong induction of sulfate transporter genes, ATP sulfurylase (ATPS) and adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate reductase (APR), and by a repressed activity of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS). Sulfate resupply to the S-deprived plants strongly increased cysteine, amino acids and proteins concentration. The increase in sulfate and cysteine concentration caused by sulfate resupply was not matched with the expression of sulfate transporters and the activity of ATPS and APR which were rapidly decreased by sulfate resupply. A strong induction of O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase (OASTL), NR and GS upon sulfate resupply was accompanied with the increase in cysteine, amino acids and proteins pool. Sulfate resupply resulted in a strong increase in de novo synthesis of amino acids and proteins, as evidenced by the increases in N and S incorporation into amino acids (1.8- and 2.4-fold increase) and proteins (2.2-and 6.3-fold increase) when compared to S-deprived plants. The results thus indicate that sulfate resupply followed by S-deprivation accelerates nitrate assimilation for protein synthesis.

Influence of Sulfur Deficiency on the Expression of Specific Sulfate Transporters and the Distribution of Sulfur, Selenium, and Molybdenum in Wheat

Interactions between sulfur (S) nutritional status and sulfate transporter expression in field-grown wheat (Triticum aestivum) were investigated using Broadbalk +S and -S treatments (S fertilizer withheld) at Rothamsted, United Kingdom. In 2008, S, sulfate, selenium (Se), and molybdenum (Mo) concentrations and sulfate transporter gene expression were analyzed throughout development. Total S concentrations were lower in all tissues of -S plants, principally as a result of decreased sulfate pools. S, Se, and Mo concentrations increased in vegetative tissues until anthesis, and thereafter, with the exception of Mo, decreased until maturity. At maturity, most of the S and Se were localized in the grain, indicating efficient remobilization from vegetative tissues, whereas less Mo was remobilized. At maturity, Se and Mo were enhanced 7- and 3.7-fold, respectively, in -S compared with +S grain, while grain total S was not significantly reduced. Enhanced expression of sulfate transporters, for example Sultr1;1 and Sultr4;1, in -S plants explains the much increased accumulation of Se and Mo (7- and 3.7-fold compared with +S in grain, respectively). Sultr5;2 (mot1), thought to be involved in Mo accumulation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), did not fully explain patterns of Mo distribution; it was expressed in all tissues, decreasing in leaf and increasing in roots under -S conditions, and was expressed in florets at anthesis but not in grain at any other time. In conclusion, S fertilizer application has a marked impact on Mo and Se distribution and accumulation, which is at least partially a result of altered gene expression of the sulfate transporter family.

Time course analysis of gene expression over 24 hours in Fe-deficient barley roots

Typical for a graminaceous plant, barley secretes mugineic acid-family phytosiderophores (MAs) to acquire iron (Fe). Under Fe-deficient conditions, MAs secretion from barley roots increases markedly. Secretion shows a diurnal pattern, with a clear peak 2-3 h after sunrise and cessation within a few hours. Microarray analyses were performed to profile the Fe deficiency-inducible genes in barley roots and diurnal changes in the expression of these genes. Genes encoding enzymes involved in MAs biosynthesis, the methionine cycle, and methionine biosynthesis were highly induced by Fe deficiency. The expression of sulfate transporters was also upregulated by Fe deficiency. Therefore, all of the genes participating in the MAs pathway from sulfur uptake and assimilation to the biosynthesis of MAs were upregulated in Fe-deficient barley roots. In contrast to MAs secretion, the transcript levels of these genes did not show diurnal changes. The amount of endogenous MAs gradually increased during the day after MAs secretion ceased, and was highest before secretion began. These results show that MAs biosynthesis, including the supply of the substrate methionine, occurs throughout the day, and biosynthesized MAs likely accumulate in barley roots until their secretion into the rhizosphere. In contrast, the levels of transcripts encoding an Fe(III)-MAs complex transporter, two putative metal-MAs complex transporters, and HvYS1 were also increased in Fe-deficient barley roots, and the levels of two of these transcripts showed diurnal rhythms. The Fe(III)-MAs complex transporters may absorb Fe(III)-MAs diurnally, synchronous with the diurnal secretion of MAs.

Expression and activity of sulfate transporters and APS reductase in curly kale in response to sulfate deprivation and re-supply

Both activity and expression of sulfate transporters and APS reductase in plants are modulated by the sulfur status of the plant. To examine the regulatory mechanisms in curly kale (Brassica oleracea L.), the sulfate supply was manipulated by the transfer of seedlings to sulfate-deprived conditions, which resulted in an up to 3-fold increase in the sulfate uptake capacity by the root, accompanied by an induction of transcript abundances of the Group 1 and 4 sulfate transporters in root and shoot. Upon sulfate re-supply, there was no correlation between the activity and expression of the sulfate transporters. Despite the decrease in the abundance of the sulfate transporter transcripts, especially at the onset of the sulfate re-supply, the sulfate uptake capacity was affected very little for up to 96h. There was no relationship between changes in the sulfate or thiol content and activity and expression of the sulfate transporters. Thus, their significance as regulatory signal compounds remains unresolved. The activity and expression of APS reductase, which was enhanced strongly only in the shoots of sulfate-deprived plants, and rapidly decreased again upon sulfate re-supply, corresponded with changes in thiol content, consistent with this pool having a role as a regulatory signal.

Regulation of sulfate uptake, expression of the sulfate transporters Sultr1;1 and Sultr1;2, and APS reductase in Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) as affected by atmospheric H2S nutrition and sulfate deprivation.

The activity and expression of sulfate transporters and adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (APS) reductase (APR) in plants are modulated by the plant sulfur status and the demand for growth. To elucidate regulatory mechanisms in Chinese cabbage [Brassica pekinensis (Lour.) Rupr.], the interactions between atmospheric H2S and sulfate nutrition and the impact on the activity and expression of the Group 1 sulfate transporters and APR were studied. At an ample sulfate supply, H2S exposure of Chinese cabbage resulted in a partial decrease of the sulfate uptake capacity, and at concentrations ≥0.25 μL L-1 a decreased expression of Sultr1;2 in the root and APR in the root and shoot. Upon sulfate deprivation there was a more than 3-fold increase in the sulfate uptake capacity of the root, accompanied by an induced expression of Sultr1;1 and an enhanced expression of Sultr1;2 in the root, along with an induction of Sultr1;2 in the shoot. The enhanced sulfate uptake capacity, the expression of the sulfate transporters in the root and the altered shoot-to-root partitioning appearing during sulfate deprivation were not alleviated upon H2S exposure and not rapidly affected by sulfate re-supply. Expression of APR was strongly enhanced in the root and shoot of sulfate-deprived plants and decreased again upon H2S exposure and sulfate re-supply. The significance of shoot-to-root interaction and sulfate and thiols as regulating signals in the activity and expression of Sultr1;1 and 1;2 is evaluated.

The Characteristic High Sulfate Content in Brassica oleracea is Controlled by the Expression and Activity of Sulfate Transporters

The uptake and distribution of sulfate in BRASSICA OLERACEA, a species characterised by its high sulfate content in root and shoot, are coordinated and adjusted to the sulfur requirement for growth, even at external sulfate concentrations close to the K (m) value of the high-affinity sulfate transporters. Plants were able to grow normally and maintain a high sulfur content when grown at 5 or 10 microM sulfate in the root environment. Abundance of mRNAs for the high affinity sulfate transporters, BolSultr1;1 and BolSultr1;2, were enhanced at <or= 25 microM sulfate, and this was accompanied with an up to three-fold increase in the sulfate uptake capacity, whereas sulfate, organic sulfur, and thiol contents were only slightly affected. Upon sulfate deprivation, there was a much greater induction of the sulfate transporters, BolSultr1;1, BolSultr1;2, BolSultr1;3, BolSultr2;1, and BolSultr4;1, whilst the sulfate uptake capacity was only increased up to four-fold. Plant growth and shoot to root biomass allocation were affected only upon sulfate-deprivation and not at low external sulfate concentrations. From the current results it is suggested that the internal sulfate concentration may act as a determining factor in the regulation of activity and expression of sulfate transporters, and of shoot to root biomass allocation in B. OLERACEA.