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Monosaccharide/proton symporter AtSTP1 plays a major role in uptake and response of Arabidopsis seeds and seedlings to sugars
Author(s) -
Sherson Sarah M.,
Hemmann Georg,
Wallace Graham,
Forbes Susan,
Germain Véronique,
Stadler Ruth,
Bechtold Nicole,
Sauer Norbert,
Smith Steven M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2000.00935.x
Subject(s) - arabidopsis , symporter , biology , monosaccharide , fructose , galactose , seedling , biochemistry , gibberellin , arabidopsis thaliana , sucrose , sugar , germination , mutant , arabinose , mannose , extracellular , wild type , botany , transporter , gene , xylose , fermentation
Summary The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo properties and function of the high‐affinity monosaccharide/proton symporter AtSTP1 of Arabidopsis . We isolated an Atstp1 knock‐out mutant and found that this plant grows and develops normally. The AtSTP1 gene is expressed in germinating seeds and seedlings, with AtSTP1 activity found mainly in the seedling root. The rate of uptake of [ 14 C]‐3‐O‐methylglucose and [ 14 C]‐ d ‐glucose is 60% less in Atstp1 seedlings than in the wild type, showing that AtSTP1 is the major monosaccharide transporter in Arabidopsis seedlings. Transport of d ‐galactose and d ‐mannose is also up to 60% less in Atstp1 seedlings compared to wild type, but transport of d ‐fructose, l ‐arabinose and sucrose is not reduced. Germination of Atstp1 seed shows reduced sensitivity to d ‐mannose, demonstrating that AtSTP1 is active before germination. Atstp1 seedlings grow effectively on concentrations of d ‐galactose that inhibit wild‐type growth, even at up to 100 m m d ‐galactose, indicating that active transport by AtSTP1 plays a major role at very high concentrations of exogenous sugar. These findings provide insight into the physiological function of AtSTP1 and clearly establish its importance in the uptake of extracellular sugars by the embryo and in seedlings.