Transgenic tomato overexpressing ath-miR399d has enhanced phosphorus accumulation through increased acid phosphatase and proton secretion as well as phosphate transporters

By generating and examining transgenic tomato overexpressing ath-miR399d grown in hydroponic conditions, in quartz sand, or in a polytunnel greenhouse vegetable soil culture, this study aimed to investigate the effects of miR399d from Arabidopsis on phosphorus (P) accumulation, P concentrations in transgenic tomato overexpressing ath-miR399d shoots, phosphate transporter expression, and proton secretion and acid phosphatase (APase) activity in roots. In the transgenic tomato, leaf P concentration increased significantly in an agricultural soil, and roots had higher uptake of P, as evidenced by leaf P concentrations and relative expression of the genes LePT1, LePT2, LePT4, and LePT5 in normal-P solution. Enhanced APase activity in transgenic roots and the outside medium led to superior hydrolysis of organic P, and increased proton extrusion by roots led to superior dissolution of AlPO4. Thus, besides phosphate transporters, higher APase activity and strengthened acidification in the vicinity of the roots may be important mechanisms for transgenic tomato to scavenge or acquire P in soil. These results provide new understanding of miR399-overexpressing plants that accumulate excess P in shoots.