Polar localization and degradation of Arabidopsis boron transporters through distinct trafficking pathways

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Mar 16;107(11):5220-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0910744107. Epub 2010 Mar 1.

Abstract

Boron (B) is essential for plant growth but is toxic when present in excess. In the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana under B limitation, a boric acid channel, NIP5;1, and a boric acid/borate exporter, BOR1, are required for efficient B uptake and subsequent translocation into the xylem, respectively. However, under high-B conditions, BOR1 activity is repressed through endocytic degradation, presumably to avoid B toxicity. In this study, we investigated the localization of GFP-tagged NIP5;1 and BOR1 expressed under the control of their native promoters. Under B limitation, GFP-NIP5;1 and BOR1-GFP localized preferentially in outer (distal) and inner (proximal) plasma membrane domains, respectively, of various root cells. The polar localization of the boric acid channel and boric acid/borate exporter indicates the radial transport route of B toward the stele. Furthermore, mutational analysis revealed a requirement of tyrosine residues, in a probable cytoplasmic loop region of BOR1, for polar localization in various cells of the meristem and elongation zone. The same tyrosine residues were also required for vacuolar targeting upon high B supply. The present study of BOR1 and NIP5;1 demonstrates the importance of selective endocytic trafficking in polar localization and degradation of plant nutrient transporters for radial transport and homeostasis of plant mineral nutrients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiporters / metabolism*
  • Aquaporins / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis / cytology*
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism*
  • Boron / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Polarity*
  • Diffusion
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Protein Transport
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tyrosine / metabolism
  • Vacuoles / metabolism

Substances

  • Antiporters
  • Aquaporins
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • BOR1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • NIP5;1 protein, Arabidopsis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Tyrosine
  • Boron