AtHKT1 facilitates Na+ homeostasis and K+ nutrition in planta

Genetic and physiological data establish that Arabidopsis AtHKT1 facilitates Na+ homeostasis in planta and by this function modulates K+ nutrient status. Mutations that disrupt AtHKT1 function suppress NaCl sensitivity of sos1-1 and sos2-2, as well as of sos3-1 seedlings grown in vitro and plants grown in controlled environmental conditions. hkt1 suppression of sos3-1 NaCl sensitivity is linked to higher Na+ content in the shoot and lower content of the ion in the root, reducing the Na+ imbalance between these organs that is caused by sos3-1. AtHKT1 transgene expression, driven by its innate promoter, increases NaCl but not LiCl or KCl sensitivity of wild-type (Col-0 gl1) or of sos3-1 seedlings. NaCl sensitivity induced by AtHKT1 transgene expression is linked to a lower K+ to Na+ ratio in the root. However, hkt1 mutations increase NaCl sensitivity of both seedlings in vitro and plants grown in controlled environmental conditions, which is correlated with a lower K+ to Na+ ratio in the shoot. These results establish that AtHKT1 is a focal determinant of Na+ homeostasis in planta, as either positive or negative modulation of its function disturbs ion status that is manifested as salt sensitivity. K+-deficient growth of sos1-1, sos2-2, and sos3-1 seedlings is suppressed completely by hkt1-1. AtHKT1 transgene expression exacerbates K+ deficiency of sos3-1 or wildtype seedlings. Together, these results indicate that AtHKT1 controls Na+ homeostasis in planta and through this function regulates K+ nutrient status.