Involvement of aquaporins on nitrogen-acquisition strategies of juvenile and adult plants of an epiphytic tank-forming bromeliad

Author(s)

Matiz, Alejandra ^[1] ; Cambui, Camila Aguetoni ^[1] ; Richet, Nicolas ^[2] ; Mioto, Paulo Tamaso ^[3] ; Gomes, Fernando ^[4] ; Pikart, Filipe Christian ^[1] ; Chaumont, Francois ^[2] ; Gaspar, Marilia ^[5] ; Mercier, Helenice ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Bot, Inst Biosci, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] UCLouvain, Louvain Inst Biomol Sci & Technol, Croix Sud 4-L7-07-14, B-1348 Louvain La Neuve - Belgium

^[3] Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Biol Sci Ctr, Dept Bot, Campus Reitor Joao David Ferreira Lima S-N, BR-88040900 Florianopolis, SC - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biosci, Dept Genet & Evolutionary Biol, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[5] Inst Bot, Dept Plant Physiol & Biochem, BR-04301912 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANTA; v. 250, n. 1, p. 319-332, JUL 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Main conclusionDepending on the N source and plant ontogenetic state, the epiphytic tank-forming bromeliad Vriesea gigantea can modulate aquaporin expression to maximize the absorption of the most available nitrogen source.AbstractEpiphytic bromeliads frequently present a structure formed by the overlapping of leaf bases where water and nutrients can be accumulated and absorbed, called tank. However, this structure is not present during the juvenile ontogenetic phase, leading to differences in nutrient acquisition strategies. Recent studies have shown a high capacity of the bromeliad Vriesea gigantea, an epiphytic tank-forming bromeliad, to absorb urea by their leaves. Since plant aquaporins can facilitate the diffusion of urea through the membranes, we cloned three foliar aquaporin genes, VgPIP1;1, VgPIP1;2 and VgTIP2;1 from V. gigantea plants. Through functional studies, we observed that besides water, VgTIP2;1 was capable of transporting urea while VgPIP1;2 may facilitate ammonium/ammonia diffusion. Moreover, aiming at identifying urea and ammonium-induced changes in aquaporin expression in leaves of juvenile and adult-tank plants, we showed that VgPIP1;1 and VgPIP1;2 transcripts were up-regulated in response to either urea or ammonium only in juvenile plants, while VgTIP2;1 was up-regulated in response to urea only in adult-tank plants. Thereby, an ontogenetic shift from juvenile to adult-tank-forming-plant appears to occur with metabolic changes regarding nitrogen metabolism regulation. Investigating urea metabolism in wild species that naturally cope with organic N sources, such as V. gigantea, may provide the knowledge to modify nitrogen use efficiency of crop plants. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/09097-7 - Characterization of the absorption of urea via aquaporins and its possible direct assimilation by Vriesea gigantea (Bromeliaceae)
• Grantee: Alejandra Matiz Lopez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/50637-0 - Competence for Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) expression in epiphytic bromeliad: signaling, modulation of expression, transcriptional profile and interaction with the nitrogen metabolism
• Grantee: Helenice Mercier
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants