Integration of P, S, Fe, and Zn nutrition signals in Arabidopsis thaliana: potential involvement of PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 (PHR1)

Abstract

Phosphate and sulfate are essential macro-elements for plant growth and development, and deficiencies in these mineral elements alter many metabolic functions. Nutritional constraints are not restricted to macro-elements. Essential metals such as zinc and iron have their homeostasis strictly genetically controlled, and deficiency or excess of these micro-elements can generate major physiological disorders, also impacting plant growth and development. Phosphate and sulfate on one hand, and zinc and iron on the other hand, are known to interact. These interactions have been partly described at the molecular and physiological levels, and are reviewed here. Furthermore the two macro-elements phosphate and sulfate not only interact between themselves but also influence zinc and iron nutrition. These intricated nutritional cross-talks are presented. The responses of plants to phosphorus, sulfur, zinc, or iron deficiencies have been widely studied considering each element separately, and some molecular actors of these regulations have been characterized in detail. Although some scarce reports have started to examine the interaction of these mineral elements two by two, a more complex analysis of the interactions and cross-talks between the signaling pathways integrating the homeostasis of these various elements is still lacking. However, a MYB-like transcription factor, PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1, emerges as a common regulator of phosphate, sulfate, zinc, and iron homeostasis, and its role as a potential general integrator for the control of mineral nutrition is discussed.

Root Cell-Specific Regulators of Phosphate-Dependent Growth

“…For P-limited roots, the hub gene with the highest kME is the transcription factor BASIC HELIX-LOOP-HELIX100 (BHLH100), which has been implicated in FIT-independent responses to iron homeostasis (Sivitz et al, 2012). Our data imply that there are at least two regulatory networks in P-replete roots that adjust root growth (pink module) and shoot Pi accumulation (midnight blue module) to changes in iron and Pi availability Briat et al, 2015).…”

Nutrient stress-induced chromatin changes in plants

“…Nutrient availability, like other environmental cues, is perceived and transmitted by a multitude of signalling pathways, ultimately enabling plants to better cope with dynamic and challenging environments. In recent years, numerous studies ranging from phenotypic to molecular analyses have greatly improved our understanding of the complex regulatory networks involved in these mechanisms [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Among these, sophisticated dynamic changes in chromatin structure have been observed in response to numerous environmental conditions, often associated with concomitant changes in gene expression (reviewed in Refs.…”

Whole-plant mineral partitioning during the reproductive development of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

“…Sulphur is involved in different functions and aspects of plant metabolism (Briat et al, 2015). Sulphur is a vital component of proteins, due to its presence in the amino acids cysteine and methionine, as well as an active constituent of numerous coenzymes and prosthetic groups, Fe-S centers, coenzyme-A, thiamine, lipoic acid, S-adenosylmethionine, glutathione, and many more (Kopriva et al, 2015).…”