title: Enhancement of phosphate absorption by garden plants by genetic engineering: a new tool for phytoremediation.
abstract: Although phosphorus is an essential factor for proper plant growth in natural environments, an excess of phosphate in water sources causes serious pollution. In this paper we describe transgenic plants which hyperaccumulate inorganic phosphate (Pi) and which may be used to reduce environmental water pollution by phytoremediation. AtPHR1, a transcription factor for a key regulator of the Pi starvation response in Arabidopsis thaliana, was overexpressed in the ornamental garden plants Torenia, Petunia, and Verbena. The transgenic plants showed hyperaccumulation of Pi in leaves and accelerated Pi absorption rates from hydroponic solutions. Large-scale hydroponic experiments indicated that the enhanced ability to absorb Pi in transgenic torenia (AtPHR1) was comparable to water hyacinth a plant that though is used for phytoremediation causes overgrowth problems.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute, Suntory Global Innovation Center Limited, 1-1-1 Wakayama-dai, Shimamoto-cho, Mishima-gun, Osaka 618-8503, Japan. keisuke_matsui@suntory.co.jp
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Togami
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Stephen F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Chandler
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D018527:Hydroponics; D019686:Lamiaceae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D032306:Petunia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D032412:Verbena / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C514695:PHR1 protein, Arabidopsis; D010710:Phosphates; D014157:Transcription Factors; D010758:Phosphorus