Functional characterization of LePT4: a phosphate transporter in tomato with mycorrhiza-enhanced expression

J Exp Bot. 2007;58(10):2491-501. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erm096. Epub 2007 Jun 1.

Abstract

Many plant roots acquire inorganic phosphate (Pi) from soils directly through the root-soil interface via high-affinity Pi transporters and/or through symbiotic associations between the cortical cells and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. In tomato, three phosphate transporters (LePT3, LePT4, and LePT5) are up-regulated upon colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. In this study, the role of LePT4 in tomato is elucidated by molecular and physiological characterizations of a loss-of-function mutant lept4. In the absence of mycorrhizal infection and under solution-Pi concentrations (Cp) of 0.05 mM and 0.5 mM, the mutant exhibited severe Pi-deficiency symptoms which were associated with significantly lower Pi uptake as compared with that of the wild type. However, at a Cp of 5 mM, lept4 grew better than the wild type. Mycorrhizal infection at a Cp of 0.05 mM resulted in a significant increase in the transcripts of LePT4 in the wild type and a concomitant 2-fold increase in Pi uptake. Although upon mycorrhizal infection, lept4 also exhibited an increased Pi uptake, it was significantly lower than that of the wild type. Under a Cp of 1 mM and in the absence of mycorrhizal infection, LePT4 expression was suppressed in the wild type and a mutation in this gene resulted in a slight reduction in total Pi uptake. These data highlight the pivotal role of LePT4 in mycorrhizal-mediated Pi uptake in tomato, and show that this function may not be fully compensated by other members of the family. Characterization of the mycorrhiza-associated Pi transporter lept4 mutant, along with expression analysis of LePT3, provides evidence for the different routes of mycorrhiza-mediated Pi uptake in plants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport / genetics
  • Hydroponics
  • Mycorrhizae / physiology*
  • Phosphate Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Phosphate Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Phosphate Transport Proteins / physiology*
  • Phosphates / metabolism*
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Plant Proteins / physiology*
  • Plant Roots / growth & development
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / microbiology
  • Plant Shoots / growth & development
  • Plant Shoots / metabolism
  • Plant Shoots / microbiology
  • Solanum lycopersicum / growth & development
  • Solanum lycopersicum / metabolism*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / microbiology

Substances

  • Phosphate Transport Proteins
  • Phosphates
  • Plant Proteins