The Arabidopsis thaliana aquaglyceroporin AtNIP7;1 is a pathway for arsenite uptake

We studied the effect of loss of function in the NIP subfamily II in Arabidopsis thaliana to assess their potential role(s) in arsenite (AsIII) uptake. Loss of function in AtNIP7;1 led to increased plant tolerance to AsIII and reduced total As in planta. AtNIP7;1 expression in various yeast backgrounds increased AsIII sensitivity. In the acr3D yeast genotype, AtNIP7;1 caused a moderate increase in AsV tolerance. Shortterm As uptake in fsp1 Delta expressing AtNIP7;1 was significantly larger than that in the empty vector control. The data suggest that AtNIP7; 1 can mediate AsIII transport and contributes to AsIII uptake in plants. (C) 2008 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.