Characterization of wheat phosphate transporters and their involvement during iron and phosphate interaction

Abstract

Under phosphate deficiency, plant phosphate transporters play critical role in uptake, translocation and mobilization of inorganic phosphate. We have characterized 23 phosphate transporters from hexaploid wheat during seed development and iron/phosphate starvations. Subsequently, candidate transporters were successfully cloned, transformed and integrated in the yeast genome (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and plant genome (Arabidopsis thaliana) for their functional evaluation. Overexpression of TaPHT3.1 in Arabidopsis showed positive effect on growth and development. Also, it increases phosphate uptake under phosphate deficiency and arsenate toxicity. Overall, the study addresses the role of phosphate transporters in wheat. newline