Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

A Simple Protocol for Mapping the Plant Root System Architecture Traits
Published on: February 10, 2023
OsPLT1 negatively regulates phosphorus deficiency tolerance by modulating nitric oxide-mediated cell wall phosphorus
Yong Qiang Gao1,2, Chong Wei Zhong1,2, Yan Zhou1
1State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
Abstract:
Phosphorus (P) deficiency severely limits rice productivity, yet the role of root developmental regulators in P homeostasis remains unclear. Here, we show that the rice PLETHORA transcription factor OsPLT1 suppresses rice tolerance to P-deficient conditions. Under P-starved conditions, osplt1 mutants accumulated more biomass and exhibited higher soluble and total P concentrations, whereas OsPLT1-overexpressing lines were hypersensitive to P deficiency. Mechanistically, osplt1 mutants displayed reduced P retention in root cell walls, particularly in the water-soluble pectin fraction, accompanied by increased water-soluble pectin uronic acid content and elevated pectin methylesterase activity. Enzymatic digestion assays confirmed enhanced release of wall-bound P in the mutants. Moreover, osplt1 mutants showed higher nitric oxide (NO) accumulation under P deficiency, whereas SNP treatment largely reduced the differences in cell wall P and soluble P between Nip and osplt1 mutants, suggesting that NO is associated with OsPLT1-dependent P reutilization. Phosphate uptake-related gene, OsPT6, was also more strongly induced in the mutants, which may contribute to improved P acquisition. Notably, OsPHR1/2 and representative PHR-responsive genes showed comparable expression among genotypes under the same P condition, suggesting that OsPLT1-mediated regulation may not primarily depend on major changes in canonical PHR signaling activity. Together, these results reveal a link between root developmental control and P homeostasis and suggest that OsPLT1 may provide a useful genetic target for enhancing phosphorus-use efficiency in rice.
Related Concept Videos
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Responses to Salt Stress
Stringent Response in E. coli
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria
Cell Signaling in Plants
Responses to Drought and Flooding

