title: Homeostasis of the structurally important micronutrients, B and Si.
abstract: This review focuses on recent advances in understanding the transport mechanisms of two elements, B and Si in plants. Both are present as noncharged molecules in soil solution as boric acid and silicic acid. Both function in apoplast: pectic polysaccharides crosslinked with borate and polymers of hydrated silica are important for the physical strength of plant cells. In recent years, molecular genetics revealed analogous transport systems of B and Si. Combinations of NIP channels and exporters localized to distal and proximal sides, allow efficient trans-cellular transport of the nutrients. Polar localization, observed in these transport molecules, is likely to be a key to regulate directional transport of nutrients.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Research Center, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miwa
authors.forename: Takehiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamiya
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujiwara
mesh_terms: D001895:Boron / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D012825:Silicon / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients; D001895:Boron; D012825:Silicon