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Iron deprivation results in a rapid but not sustained increase of the expression of genes involved in iron metabolism and sulfate uptake in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings
Author(s) -
Paolacci Anna Rita,
Celletti Silvia,
Catarcione Giulio,
Hawkesford Malcolm J.,
Astolfi Stefania,
Ciaffi Mario
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of integrative plant biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.734
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1744-7909
pISSN - 1672-9072
DOI - 10.1111/jipb.12110
Subject(s) - solanum , shoot , sulfate , sulfur , sulfur metabolism , downregulation and upregulation , transporter , chemistry , biochemistry , iron deficiency , metabolism , biology , botany , gene , medicine , organic chemistry , anemia
Characterization of the relationship between sulfur and iron in both Strategy I and Strategy II plants, has proven that low sulfur availability often limits plant capability to cope with iron shortage. Here it was investigated whether the adaptation to iron deficiency in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants was associated with an increased root sulfate uptake and translocation capacity, and modified dynamics of total sulfur and thiols accumulation between roots and shoots. Most of the tomato sulfate transporter genes belonging to Groups 1, 2, and 4 were significantly upregulated in iron‐deficient roots, as it commonly occurs under S‐deficient conditions. The upregulation of the two high affinity sulfate transporter genes, SlST1.1 and SlST1.2 , by iron deprivation clearly suggests an increased root capability to take up sulfate. Furthermore, the upregulation of the two low affinity sulfate transporter genes SlST2.1 and SlST4.1 in iron‐deficient roots, accompanied by a substantial accumulation of total sulfur and thiols in shoots of iron‐starved plants, likely supports an increased root‐to‐shoot translocation of sulfate. Results suggest that tomato plants exposed to iron‐deficiency are able to change sulfur metabolic balance mimicking sulfur starvation responses to meet the increased demand for methionine and its derivatives, allowing them to cope with this stress.