<it>Sultr4;1 </it>mutant seeds of Arabidopsis have an enhanced sulphate content and modified proteome suggesting metabolic adaptations to altered sulphate compartmentalization
2010
Belghazi Maya | Hell Rüdiger | Wirtz Markus | Davidian Jean-Claude | Zuber Hélène | Thompson Richard | Gallardo Karine
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sulphur is an essential macronutrient needed for the synthesis of many cellular components. Sulphur containing amino acids and stress response-related compounds, such as glutathione, are derived from reduction of root-absorbed sulphate. Sulphate distribution in cell compartments necessitates specific transport systems. The low-affinity sulphate transporters SULTR4;1 and SULTR4;2 have been localized to the vacuolar membrane, where they may facilitate sulphate efflux from the vacuole.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study, we demonstrated that the <it>Sultr4;1 </it>gene is expressed in developing Arabidopsis seeds to a level over 10-fold higher than the <it>Sultr4;2 </it>gene. A characterization of dry mature seeds from a <it>Sultr4;1 </it>T-DNA mutant revealed a higher sulphate content, implying a function for this transporter in developing seeds. A fine dissection of the <it>Sultr4;1 </it>seed proteome identified 29 spots whose abundance varied compared to wild-type. Specific metabolic features characteristic of an adaptive response were revealed, such as an up-accumulation of various proteins involved in sugar metabolism and in detoxification processes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study revealed a role for SULTR4;1 in determining sulphate content of mature Arabidopsis seeds. Moreover, the adaptive response of <it>sultr4;1 </it>mutant seeds as revealed by proteomics suggests a function of SULTR4;1 in redox homeostasis, a mechanism that has to be tightly controlled during development of orthodox seeds.</p>
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