Regulation of HbPIP2;3, a Latex-Abundant Water Transporter, Is Associated with Latex Dilution and Yield in the Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.).
Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) latex, the source of natural rubber, is synthesised in the cytoplasm of laticifers. Efficient water inflow into laticifers is crucial for latex flow and production since it is the determinant of the total solid content of latex and its fluidity after tapping. As the mature laticifer vessel rings are devoid of plasmodesmata, water exchange between laticifers and surrounding cells is believed to be governed by plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs). To identify the most important PIP aquaporin in the water balance of laticifers, the transcriptional profiles of ten-latex-expressed PIPs were analysed. One of the most abundant transcripts, designated HbPIP2;3, was characterised in this study. When tested in Xenopus laevis oocytes HbPIP2;3 showed a high efficiency in increasing plasmalemma water conductance. Expression analysis indicated that the HbPIP2;3 gene was preferentially expressed in latex, and the transcripts were up-regulated by both wounding and exogenously applied Ethrel (a commonly-used ethylene releaser). Although regular tapping up-regulated the expression of HbPIP2;3 during the first few tappings of the virginal rubber trees, the transcriptional kinetics of HbPIP2;3 to Ethrel stimulation in the regularly tapped tree exhibited a similar pattern to that of the previously reported HbPIP2;1 in the virginal rubber trees. Furthermore, the mRNA level of HbPIP2;3 was associated with clonal yield potential and the Ethrel stimulation response. Together, these results have revealed the central regulatory role of HbPIP2;3 in laticifer water balance and ethylene stimulation of latex production in Hevea.
Danzhou Investigation & Experiment Station of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Rubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, 571737, P. R. China; Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, 3216, Australia.
Feng
F
An
Danzhou Investigation & Experiment Station of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Rubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, 571737, P. R. China.
Zhi
Z
Zou
College of Agronomy, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, P. R. China.
Xiuqing
X
Cai
Danzhou Investigation & Experiment Station of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Rubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, 571737, P. R. China.
Jin
J
Wang
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, 3216, Australia.
James
J
Rookes
Danzhou Investigation & Experiment Station of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Rubber Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Danzhou, 571737, P. R. China.
Weifu
W
Lin
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, 3216, Australia.
David
D
Cahill
Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, 3216, Australia.
Lingxue
L
Kong
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects; D028482:Hevea / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007840:Latex / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000235:genetics; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D010802:Phylogeny; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D020346:Aquaporins; D007840:Latex; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; C005073:ethephon