Reference "Differential metal selectivity and gene expression of two zinc transporters from rice"

Reference ID

7980

Title

Differential metal selectivity and gene expression of two zinc transporters from rice

Source

Plant physiology, 2003, vol. 133, pp. 126-134

Authors (4)

Ramesh-S-A	Shin-R
Eide-D-J	Schachtman-D-P

Abstract

Zinc is an essential mineral for a wide variety of physiological and biochemical
processes. To understand zinc transport in cereals, we identified putative zinc
transporters in gene databases. Three full-length cDNAs were identified and
characterized from rice (Oryza sativa). Two of the cDNAs partially complemented
a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant deficient in zinc uptake at low
concentrations. The two transporters showed many similarities in function but
differed in ionic selectivity and pH optimum of activity. Expression patterns
also differed between the two genes. One gene was broadly expressed under all
conditions, and the other gene was mainly induced by zinc deficiency to higher
levels in roots than in leaves. Although the timing of expression differed
between the two genes, localization of expression overlapped in roots.
Comparisons of the protein sequences, ionic selectivity, and gene expression
patterns of the two transporters suggest that they may play different roles in
the physiology of the whole plant.