Plant responses to potassium deficiencies: a role for potassium transport proteins.
The availability of potassium to the plant is highly variable, due to complex soil dynamics, which are strongly influenced by root-soil interactions. A low plant potassium status triggers expression of high affinity K+ transporters, up-regulates some K+ channels, and activates signalling cascades, some of which are similar to those involved in wounding and other stress responses. The molecules that signal low K+ status in plants include reactive oxygen species and phytohormones, such as auxin, ethylene and jasmonic acid. Apart from up-regulation of transport proteins and adjustment of metabolic processes, potassium deprivation triggers developmental responses in roots. All these acclimation strategies enable plants to survive and compete for nutrients in a dynamic environment with a variable availability of potassium.
Ashley
M K
MK
Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Wye Campus, Wye, Ashford TN25 5AH, Kent, UK.
Grant
M
M
Grabov
A
A
D000064:Acclimatization; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D010940:Plant Proteins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011188:Potassium