Work

γ-Aminobutyric Acid Suppresses Iron Transportation from Roots to Shoots in Rice Seedlings by Inducing Aerenchyma Formation

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a widely distributed non-protein amino acid mediated the regulation of nitrate uptake and Al3+ tolerance in plants. However, there are few reports about the involvement of GABA in the regulation of iron (Fe) acquisition and translocation. Here, we show that GABA regulates Fe homeostasis in rice seedlings. Exogenous GABA decreased the chlorophyll concentration in leaves, with or without Fe supply. Over-expression of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene, coding a crucial enzyme of GABA production, elevated endogenous GABA content and caused more leaf chlorosis than wild type (Nipponbare). GABA inhibited Fe transportation from roots to shoots and GABA application elevated the expression levels of Fe deficiency (FD)-related genes under conditions of Fe-sufficiency (FS), suggesting that GABA is a regulator of Fe translocation. Using Perls’ blue staining, we found that more ferric iron (Fe3+) was deposited in the epidermal cells of roots treated with GABA compared with control roots. Anatomic section analysis showed that GABA treatment induced more aerenchyma formation compared with the control. Aerenchyma facilitated the oxidization of soluble ferrous iron (Fe2+) into insoluble Fe3+, resulted in Fe precipitation in the epidermis, and inhibited the transportation of Fe from roots to shoots.

Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010220

Authors: Changhua Zhu, Qi Qi, Huijiao Niu, Jiaqi Wu, Na Yang, Lijun Gan

Institution: Nanjing Agricultural University

Language: English

Topic: Plant Micronutrient Interactions and Effects

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,112