title: Increased expression of six ZIP family genes by zinc (Zn) deficiency is associated with enhanced uptake and root-to-shoot translocation of Zn in barley (Hordeum vulgare).
abstract: Low zinc (Zn) in soils reduces yield and grain Zn content. Regulation of ZRT/IRT-like protein (ZIP) family genes is a major mechanism in plant adaptation to low and fluctuating Zn in soil. Although several Zn deficiency-inducible ZIP genes are identified in cereals, there has been no systematic study on the association of Zn deficiency-induced uptake and root-to-shoot translocation with expression of ZIP family genes. We measured Zn deficiency-induced uptake and root-to-shoot translocation of Zn in barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants by resupplying 0.5 μM Zn, and quantified the transcripts of thirteen HvZIP genes. Subcellular localization and tissue-specific expression were also determined for Zn deficiency-inducible HvZIP genes. Zn deficiency enhanced the capacity of uptake and root-to-shoot translocation of Zn, and sustained the enhanced capacity for 6 d after Zn resupply. Six HvZIP genes were highly induced in roots of Zn-deficient plants, and their proteins were localized in the plasma membrane. Tissue-specific expression in roots supports their roles in uptake and root-to-shoot translocation of Zn under low Zn conditions. Our results provide a comprehensive view on the physiological roles of ZIP genes in plant adaptation to low and fluctuating Zn in soil, and pave the way for development of new strategies to improve Zn-deficiency tolerance and biofortification in cereals.
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, the University of Adelaide, PMB1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Jingwen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tiong
authors.affiliation: School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, the University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, the University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Yusuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Genc
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, the University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shirley
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, the University of Adelaide, PMB1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Langridge
authors.affiliation: Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, the University of Adelaide, PMB1, Glen Osmond, SA, 5064, Australia.
authors.forename: Chun Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport / Q000235:genetics; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D017343:Genes, Plant; D001467:Hordeum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D019441:Plant Epidermis / Q000235:genetics; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism*; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil; D013045:Species Specificity; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012987:Soil; D015032:Zinc
keywords: ZRT/IRT-like protein (ZIP); Zn resupply; Zn uptake; barley (Hordeum vulgare); root; translocation; zinc (Zn) deficiency