Plant transporters involved in combating boron toxicity: beyond 3D structures
Files
(Published version)
Date
2020
Authors
Hrmova, M.
Gilliham, M.
Tyerman, S.D.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Biochemical Society Transactions, 2020; 48(4):1683-1696
Statement of Responsibility
Maria Hrmova, Matthew Gilliham and Stephen D. Tyerman
Conference Name
Abstract
Membrane transporters control the movement and distribution of solutes, including the disposal or compartmentation of toxic substances that accumulate in plants under adverse environmental conditions. In this minireview, in the light of the approaching 100th anniversary of unveiling the significance of boron to plants (K. Warington, 1923; Ann. Bot.37, 629) we discuss the current state of the knowledge on boron transport systems that plants utilise to combat boron toxicity. These transport proteins include: (i) nodulin-26-like intrinsic protein-types of aquaporins, and (ii) anionic efflux (borate) solute carriers. We describe the recent progress made on the structure–function relationships of these transport proteins and point out that this progress is integral to quantitative considerations of the transporter's roles in tissue boron homeostasis. Newly acquired knowledge at the molecular level has informed on the transport mechanics and conformational states of boron transport systems that can explain their impact on cell biology and whole plant physiology. We expect that this information will form the basis for engineering transporters with optimised features to alleviate boron toxicity tolerance in plants exposed to suboptimal soil conditions for sustained food production.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Version of Record published: 11 August 2020
Access Status
Rights
© 2020 The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society and distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 (CC BY-NCND).