Identification of plant vacuolar transporters mediating phosphate storage

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11095
• Publication Date: 2016-03-31T10:28:31Z
• Authors: Tzu-Yin Liu; Teng-Kuei Huang; Shu-Yi Yang; Yu-Ting Hong; Sheng-Min Huang; Fu-Nien Wang; Su-Fen Chiang; Shang-Yueh Tsai; Wen-Chien Lu; Tzyy-Jen Chiou
• Keywords: Heterologous expression

Abstract Plant vacuoles serve as the primary intracellular compartments for inorganic phosphate (Pi) storage. Passage of Pi across vacuolar membranes plays a critical role in buffering cytoplasmic level against fluctuations external and metabolic activities. Here we demonstrate that SPX-MFS proteins, designated PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 5 family (PHT5), also named Vacuolar Phosphate Transporter (VPT), function transporters. Based on 31 P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis, Arabidopsis pht5;1 loss-of-function mutants accumulate less exhibit lower vacuolar-to-cytoplasmic ratio than controls. Conversely, overexpression PHT5 leads to massive sequestration into altered regulation starvation-responsive genes. Furthermore, show heterologous expression rice homologue OsSPX-MFS1 mediates influx yeast vacuoles. Our findings group transporters regulate homeostasis are required fitness plant growth.