Early effects of salinity on water transport in Arabidopsis roots. Molecular and cellular features of aquaporin expression

Methylation of aquaporins in plant plasma membrane

A thorough analysis, using MS, of aquaporins expressed in plant root PM (plasma membrane) was performed, with the objective of revealing novel post-translational regulations. Here we show that the N-terminal tail of PIP (PM intrinsic protein) aquaporins can exhibit multiple modifications and is differentially processed between members of the PIP1 and PIP2 subclasses. Thus the initiating methionine was acetylated or cleaved in native PIP1 and PIP2 isoforms respectively. In addition, several residues were detected to be methylated in PIP2 aquaporins. Lys3 and Glu6 of PIP2;1, one of the most abundant aquaporins in the PM, occurred as di- and mono-methylated residues respectively. Ectopic expression in Arabidopsis suspension cells of PIP2;1, either wild-type or with altered methylation sites, revealed an interplay between methylation at the two sites. Measurements of water transport in PM vesicles purified from these cells suggested that PIP2;1 methylation does not interfere with the aquaporin intrinsic water permeability. In conclusion, the present study identifies methylation as a novel post-translational modification of aquaporins, and even plant membrane proteins, and may represent a critical advance towards the identification of new regulatory mechanisms of membrane transport.

Suppression of Arabidopsis vesicle-SNARE expression inhibited fusion of H2O2-containing vesicles with tonoplast and increased salt tolerance

Intracellular vesicle trafficking performs essential functions in eukaryotic cells, such as membrane trafficking and delivery of molecules to their destinations. A major endocytotic route in plants is vesicle trafficking to the vacuole that plays an important role in plant salt tolerance. The final step in this pathway is mediated by the AtVAMP7C family of vesicle soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (v-SNAREs) that carry out the vesicle fusion with the tonoplast. Exposure to high-salt conditions causes immediate ionic and osmotic stresses, followed by production of reactive oxygen species. Here, we show that the reactive oxygen species are produced intracellularly, in endosomes that were targeted to the central vacuole. Suppression of the AtVAMP7C genes expression by antisense AtVAMP711 gene or in mutants of this family inhibited fusion of H2O2-containing vesicles with the tonoplast, which resulted in formation of H2O2-containing megavesicles that remained in the cytoplasm. The antisense and mutant plants exhibited improved vacuolar functions, such as maintenance of DeltapH, reduced release of calcium from the vacuole, and greatly improved plant salt tolerance. The antisense plants exhibited increased calcium-dependent protein kinase activity upon salt stress. Improved vacuolar ATPase activity during oxidative stress also was observed in a yeast system, in a DeltaVamp7 knockout strain. Interestingly, a microarray-based analysis of the AtVAMP7C genes showed a strong down-regulation of most genes in wild-type roots during salt stress, suggesting an evolutionary molecular adaptation of the vacuolar trafficking.

Comprehensive transcriptional profiling of NaCl-stressed Arabidopsis roots reveals novel classes of responsive genes

BACKGROUND

Roots are an attractive system for genomic and post-genomic studies of NaCl responses, due to their primary importance to agriculture, and because of their relative structural and biochemical simplicity. Excellent genomic resources have been established for the study of Arabidopsis roots, however, a comprehensive microarray analysis of the root transcriptome following NaCl exposure is required to further understand plant responses to abiotic stress and facilitate future, systems-based analyses of the underlying regulatory networks.

RESULTS

We used microarrays of 70-mer oligonucleotide probes representing 23,686 Arabidopsis genes to identify root transcripts that changed in relative abundance following 6 h, 24 h, or 48 h of hydroponic exposure to 150 mM NaCl. Enrichment analysis identified groups of structurally or functionally related genes whose members were statistically over-represented among up- or down-regulated transcripts. Our results are consistent with generally observed stress response themes, and highlight potentially important roles for underappreciated gene families, including: several groups of transporters (e.g. MATE, LeOPT1-like); signalling molecules (e.g. PERK kinases, MLO-like receptors), carbohydrate active enzymes (e.g. XTH18), transcription factors (e.g. members of ZIM, WRKY, NAC), and other proteins (e.g. 4CL-like, COMT-like, LOB-Class 1). We verified the NaCl-inducible expression of selected transcription factors and other genes by qRT-PCR.

CONCLUSION

Microarray profiling of NaCl-treated Arabidopsis roots revealed dynamic changes in transcript abundance for at least 20% of the genome, including hundreds of transcription factors, kinases/phosphatases, hormone-related genes, and effectors of homeostasis, all of which highlight the complexity of this stress response. Our identification of these transcriptional responses, and groups of evolutionarily related genes with either similar or divergent transcriptional responses to stress, will facilitate mapping of regulatory networks and extend our ability to improve salt tolerance in plants.

Plant aquaporins: new perspectives on water and nutrient uptake in saline environment

The mechanisms of salt stress and tolerance have been targets for genetic engineering, focusing on ion transport and compartmentation, synthesis of compatible solutes (osmolytes and osmoprotectants) and oxidative protection. In this review, we consider the integrated response to salinity with respect to water uptake, involving aquaporin functionality. Therefore, we have concentrated on how salinity can be alleviated, in part, if a perfect knowledge of water uptake and transport for each particular crop and set of conditions is available.

Localization and quantification of plasma membrane aquaporin expression in maize primary root: a clue to understanding their role as cellular plumbers

Water movement across root tissues occurs by parallel apoplastic, symplastic, and transcellular pathways that the plant can control to a certain extent. Because water channels or aquaporins (AQPs) play an important role in regulating water flow, studies on AQP mRNA and protein expression in different root tissues are essential. Here, we quantified and localized the expression of Zea mays plasma membrane AQPs (ZmPIPs) in primary root tip using in situ and quantitative RT-PCR and immunodetection approaches. All ZmPIP genes except ZmPIP2;7 were expressed in primary roots. Expression was found to be dependent on the developmental stage of the root, with, in general, an increase in expression towards the elongation and mature zones. Two genes, ZmPIP1;5 and ZmPIP2;5, showed the greatest increase in expression (up to 11- and 17-fold, respectively) in the mature zone, where they accounted for 50% of the total expressed ZmPIPs. The immunocytochemical localization of ZmPIP2;1 and ZmPIP2;5 in the exodermis and endodermis indicated that they are involved in root radial water movement. In addition, we detected a polar localization of ZmPIP2;5 to the external periclinal side of epidermal cells in root apices, suggesting an important role in water uptake from the root surface. Finally, protoplast swelling assays showed that root cells display a variable, but globally low, osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pf < 10 microm/s). However, the presence of a population of cells with a higher Pf (up to 26 microm/s) in mature zone of the root might be correlated with the increased expression of several ZmPIP genes.

Expression and inhibition of aquaporins in germinating Arabidopsis seeds

Extensive and kinetically well-defined water exchanges occur during germination of seeds. A putative role for aquaporins in this process was investigated in Arabidopsis. Macro-arrays carrying aquaporin gene-specific tags and antibodies raised against aquaporin subclasses revealed two distinct aquaporin expression programs between dry seeds and young seedlings. High expression levels of a restricted number of tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) isoforms (TIP3;1 and/or TIP3;2, and TIP5;1) together with a low expression of all 13 plasma membrane aquaporin (PIP) isoforms was observed in dry and germinating materials. In contrast, prevalent expression of aquaporins of the TIP1, TIP2 and PIP subgroups was induced during seedling establishment. Mercury (5 microM HgCl(2)), a general blocker of aquaporins in various organisms, reduced the speed of seed germination and induced a true delay in maternal seed coat (testa) rupture and radicle emergence, by 8-9 and 25-30 h, respectively. Most importantly, mercury did not alter seed lot homogeneity nor the seed germination developmental sequence, and its effects were largely reversed by addition of 2 mM dithiothreitol, suggesting that these effects were primarily due to oxidation of cell components, possibly aquaporins, without irreversible alteration of cell integrity. Measurements of water uptake in control and mercury-treated seeds suggested that aquaporin functions are not involved in early seed imbibition (phase I) but would rather be associated with a delayed initiation of phase III, i.e. water uptake accompanying expansion and growth of the embryo. A possible role for aquaporins in germinating seeds and more generally in plant tissue growth is discussed.

Aquaporins in plants

Although very often exposed to a rapid changing environment, plants are in general unable to evade from unfavourable conditions. Therefore, a fine tuned adaptation of physiology including the water balance appears to be of crucial importance. As a consequence a relatively large number of aquaporin genes are present in plant genomes. So far aquaporins in plants were shown to be involved in root water uptake, reproduction or photosynthesis. Accordingly, plant aquaporin classification as simple water pores has changed corresponding to their molecular function into channels permeable for water, small solutes and/or gases. An adjustment of the respective physiological process could be achieved by regulation mechanisms, which range from post-translational modification, molecular trafficking to heteromerization of aquaporin isoforms. Here the function of the four plant aquaporin family subclasses with regard to substrate specificity, regulation and physiological relevance is described.

Functional aquaporin diversity in plants

Due to the fact that most plants are immobile, a rapid response of physiological processes to changing environmental conditions is essential for their survival. Thus, in comparison to many other organisms, plants might need a more sophisticated tuning of water balance. Among others, this is reflected by the comparable large amount of aquaporin genes in plant genomes. So far, aquaporins were shown to be involved in many physiological processes like root water uptake, reproduction or photosynthesis. Their classification as simple water pores has changed according to their molecular function into channels permeable for water, small solutes and/or gases. An adjustment of the corresponding physiological process could be achieved by regulation mechanisms. Concerning aquaporins these range from posttranslational modification, molecular trafficking to heteromerization of aquaporin isoforms. The aim of this review is to underline the function of the four plant aquaporin family subclasses with regard to the substrate specificity, regulation and physiological relevance.

Modulating the expression of aquaporin genes in planta: A key to understand their physiological functions?

Aquaporins (AQPs) are believed to act as "cellular plumbers", allowing plants to rapidly alter their membrane water permeability in response to environmental cues. This study of AQP regulation at both the RNA and protein levels has revealed a large number of possible mechanisms. Currently, modulation of AQP expression in planta is considered the strategy of choice for elucidating the role of AQPs in plant physiology. This review highlights the fact that this strategy is complicated by many factors, such as the incomplete characterization of transport selectivity of the targeted AQP, the fact that AQPs might act as multifunctional channels with multiple physiological roles, and the number of post-translational regulation mechanisms. The classification of AQPs as constitutive or stress-responsive isoforms is also proposed.