Identification and characterization of zinc-starvation-induced ZIP transporters from barley roots

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for plants but limited information is Currently available on the molecular basis for Zn2+ transport in crop species. To expand the knowledge on Zn2+ transport in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), a cDNA library prepared from barley roots was expressed in the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant strain Delta zrt1/Delta zrt2, defective in Zn2+ uptake. This strategy resulted in isolation and identification of three new Zn2+ transporters from barley. All of the predicted proteins have a high similarity to the ZIP protein family, and are designated HvZIP3, HvZIP5 and HvZIP8, respectively. Complementation studies in Delta zrt1/Delta zrt2 showed restored growth of the yeast cells transformed with the different HvZIPs, although with different efficiency. Transformation into Fe2+ and Mn2+ uptake defective yeast mutants showed that the HvZIPs were unable to restore the growth on Fe2+ and Mn2+ limited media, respectively, indicating a specific role in Zn 2;, transport. In intact barley roots, HvZIP8 Was constitutively expressed whereas HvZlP3 and HvZIP5 were mainly expressed in -Zn plants. These results Suggest that HvZIP3, HvZIP5 and HvZIP8 are Zn 2 1 transporters involved in Zn2+ homeostasis in barley roots. The new transporters may facilitate breeding of barley genotypes with improved Zn efficiency and Zn content. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.