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Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes
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Iron-Nicotianamine Transporters Are Required for Proper Long Distance Iron Signaling
Rakesh K Kumar1, Heng-Hsuan Chu1, Celina Abundis2
1Plant Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003.
Plant Physiology
|September 13, 2017
Summary
Shoots signal iron status to roots via long-distance iron signaling. A mutant lacking YSL1 and YSL3 transporters in Arabidopsis thaliana cannot signal iron deficiency, impacting gene expression and crop iron biofortification.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Plant Physiology
- Nutrient Signaling
Background:
- Root iron uptake mechanisms are well-understood.
- Long-distance shoot-to-root signaling of iron status is largely unknown.
- Iron deficiency anemia affects billions globally, necessitating crop biofortification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the shoot-to-root signaling mechanisms of iron status in plants.
- To characterize the role of YSL1 and YSL3 transporters in iron signaling.
- To understand how impaired iron localization affects gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of an Arabidopsis double mutant (ysl1ysl3).
- Grafting experiments between wild-type and mutant plants.
- Analysis of iron deficiency-influenced gene expression in roots and shoots.
Main Results:
- The ysl1ysl3 mutant fails to regulate iron deficiency-responsive genes in both roots and shoots.
- Grafting experiments show ysl1ysl3 shoots cannot signal iron status to wild-type roots.
- Impaired iron localization in leaf veins of ysl1ysl3 mutants leads to incorrect signaling.
Conclusions:
- YSL1 and YSL3 are crucial for long-distance shoot-to-root iron signaling.
- Understanding this signaling pathway is key for engineering crops with enhanced iron content.
- Improved iron nutrition in staple crops can combat global iron deficiency anemia.
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