1
|
Maurel C, Tournaire-Roux C, Verdoucq L, Santoni V. Hormonal and environmental signaling pathways target membrane water transport. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 187:2056-2070. [PMID: 35235672 PMCID: PMC8644278 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Plant water transport and its molecular components including aquaporins are responsive, across diverse time scales, to an extremely wide array of environmental and hormonal signals. These include water deficit and abscisic acid (ABA) but also more recently identified stimuli such as peptide hormones or bacterial elicitors. The present review makes an inventory of corresponding signalling pathways. It identifies some main principles, such as the central signalling role of ROS, with a dual function of aquaporins in water and hydrogen peroxide transport, the importance of aquaporin phosphorylation that is targeted by multiple classes of protein kinases, and the emerging role of lipid signalling. More studies including systems biology approaches are now needed to comprehend how plant water transport can be adjusted in response to combined stresses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Maurel
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
- Author for Communication:
| | | | - Lionel Verdoucq
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
| | - Véronique Santoni
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vats S, Sudhakaran S, Bhardwaj A, Mandlik R, Sharma Y, Kumar S, Tripathi DK, Sonah H, Sharma TR, Deshmukh R. Targeting aquaporins to alleviate hazardous metal(loid)s imposed stress in plants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 408:124910. [PMID: 33453583 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Uptake of hazardous metal(loid)s adversely affects plants and imposes a threat to the entire food chain. Here, the role of aquaporins (AQPs) providing tolerance against hazardous metal(loid)s in plants is discussed to provide a perspective on the present understanding, knowledge gaps, and opportunities. Plants adopt complex molecular and physiological mechanisms for better tolerance, adaptability, and survival under metal(loid)s stress. Water conservation in plants is one such primary strategies regulated by AQPs, a family of channel-forming proteins facilitating the transport of water and many other solutes. The strategy is more evident with reports suggesting differential expression of AQPs adopted by plants to cope with the heavy metal stress. In this regard, numerous studies showing enhanced tolerance against hazardous elements in plants due to AQPs activity are discussed. Consequently, present understanding of various aspects of AQPs, such as tertiary-structure, transport activity, solute-specificity, differential expression, gating mechanism, and subcellular localization, are reviewed. Similarly, various tools and techniques are discussed in detail aiming at efficient utilization of resources and knowledge to combat metal(loid)s stress. The scope of AQP transgenesis focusing on heavy metal stresses is also highlighted. The information provided here will be helpful to design efficient strategies for the development of metal(loid)s stress-tolerant crops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanskriti Vats
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Sreeja Sudhakaran
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, Punjab, India; Department of Biotechnology, Punjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Anupriya Bhardwaj
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, Punjab, India; Department of Biotechnology, Punjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rushil Mandlik
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, Punjab, India; Department of Biotechnology, Punjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Yogesh Sharma
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Sudhir Kumar
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Humira Sonah
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Tilak Raj Sharma
- Division of Crop Science, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India
| | - Rupesh Deshmukh
- National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali, Punjab, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fox AR, Scochera F, Laloux T, Filik K, Degand H, Morsomme P, Alleva K, Chaumont F. Plasma membrane aquaporins interact with the endoplasmic reticulum resident VAP27 proteins at ER-PM contact sites and endocytic structures. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 228:973-988. [PMID: 33410187 PMCID: PMC7586982 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Plasma membrane (PM) intrinsic proteins (PIPs) are aquaporins facilitating the diffusion of water and small solutes. The functional importance of the PM organisation of PIPs in the interaction with other cellular structures is not completely understood. We performed a pull-down assay using maize (Zea mays) suspension cells expressing YFP-ZmPIP2;5 and validated the protein interactions by yeast split-ubiquitin and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. We expressed interacting proteins tagged with fluorescent proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and performed water transport assays in oocytes. Finally, a phylogenetic analysis was conducted. The PM-located ZmPIP2;5 physically interacts with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident ZmVAP27-1. This interaction requires the ZmVAP27-1 cytoplasmic major sperm domain. ZmPIP2;5 and ZmVAP27-1 localise in close vicinity in ER-PM contact sites (EPCSs) and endocytic structures upon exposure to salt stress conditions. This interaction enhances PM water permeability in oocytes. Similarly, the Arabidopsis ZmVAP27-1 paralogue, AtVAP27-1, interacts with the AtPIP2;7 aquaporin. Together, these data indicate that the PIP2-VAP27 interaction in EPCSs is evolutionarily conserved, and suggest that VAP27 might stabilise the aquaporins and guide their endocytosis in response to salt stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Romina Fox
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and TechnologyUCLouvainLouvain‐la‐Neuve1348Belgium
- Facultad de Farmacia y BioquímicaInstituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB)CONICETUniversidad de Buenos AiresBuenos Aires1113Argentina
| | - Florencia Scochera
- Facultad de Farmacia y BioquímicaInstituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB)CONICETUniversidad de Buenos AiresBuenos Aires1113Argentina
- Facultad de Farmacia y BioquímicaDepartamento de FisicomatemáticaUniversidad de Buenos AiresBuenos Aires1113Argentina
| | - Timothée Laloux
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and TechnologyUCLouvainLouvain‐la‐Neuve1348Belgium
| | - Karolina Filik
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and TechnologyUCLouvainLouvain‐la‐Neuve1348Belgium
| | - Hervé Degand
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and TechnologyUCLouvainLouvain‐la‐Neuve1348Belgium
| | - Pierre Morsomme
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and TechnologyUCLouvainLouvain‐la‐Neuve1348Belgium
| | - Karina Alleva
- Facultad de Farmacia y BioquímicaInstituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB)CONICETUniversidad de Buenos AiresBuenos Aires1113Argentina
- Facultad de Farmacia y BioquímicaDepartamento de FisicomatemáticaUniversidad de Buenos AiresBuenos Aires1113Argentina
| | - François Chaumont
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and TechnologyUCLouvainLouvain‐la‐Neuve1348Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shen L, Yang L, Zhang W. Multiple basic amino acid residues contribute to phosphatidic acid-mediated inhibition of rice potassium channel OsAKT2. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2020; 15:1789818. [PMID: 32649276 PMCID: PMC8550199 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1789818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anionic phospholipid phosphatidic acid (PA) behaves as an important second messenger involved in many cellular processes, such as development, cytoskeletal dynamics, vesicle trafficking, and stress response. Recently, it was reported that PA can directly bind with the rice Shaker K+ channel OsAKT2 to inhibit its channel activity. Two adjacent arginine residues (R644 and R645) in ANK domain were identified as a PA-binding site essential to the PA-mediated inhibition of OsAKT2. However, there may be still other PA-binding sites unidentified in OsAKT2. Here, using a PA biosensor (PAleon), we found that the exogenous PA treatment significantly increased the PA level at the plasma membrane of Xenopus oocytes which were used to express OsAKT2 for electrophysiological assays. As reported previously, exogenous PA markedly inhibited OsAKT2 K+ currents. Replacement of two adjacent basic residues (R190 and K191) in the S4 voltage sensor by glycine completely abolished the time-dependent K+ currents of OsAKT2, but this variant was insensitive to PA treatment. In addition, we also identified other two adjacent arginines (R755 and R756) located in the cytosolic domain as a PA-binding site, which were also essential to the PA-mediated inhibition of OsAKT2. These results provide a more comprehensive understanding of the PA-K+ channel interaction mechanism. Combining the findings here with the previous study, we propose that multiple basic residues (R190/K191, R644/R645, and R755/R756) in different domains of OsAKT2 contribute to PA-mediated regulation of OsAKT2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Like Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lele Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jurkiewicz P, Senicourt L, Ayeb H, Lequin O, Lacapere JJ, Batoko H. A Plant-Specific N-terminal Extension Reveals Evolutionary Functional Divergence within Translocator Proteins. iScience 2020; 23:100889. [PMID: 32087576 PMCID: PMC7033594 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.100889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Conserved translocator proteins (TSPOs) mediate cell stress responses possibly in a cell-type-specific manner. This work reports on the molecular function of plant TSPO and their possible evolutionary divergence. Arabidopsis thaliana TSPO (AtTSPO) is stress induced and has a conserved polybasic, plant-specific N-terminal extension. AtTSPO reduces water loss by depleting aquaporin PIP2;7 in the plasma membrane. Herein, AtTSPO was found to bind phosphoinositides in vitro, but only full-length AtTSPO or chimeric mouse TSPO with an AtTSPO N-terminus bound PI(4,5)P2in vitro and modified PIP2;7 levels in vivo. Expression of AtTSPO but not its N-terminally truncated variant enhanced phospholipase C activity and depleted PI(4,5)P2 from the plasma membrane and its enrichment in Golgi membranes. Deletion or point mutations within the AtTSPO N-terminus affected PI(4,5)P2 binding and almost prevented AtTSPO-PIP2;7 interaction in vivo. The findings imply functional divergence of plant TSPOs from bacterial and animal counterparts via evolutionary acquisition of the phospholipid-interacting N-terminus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Jurkiewicz
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), University of Louvain (UCLouvain), Croix du Sud 4-5, L7.07.14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Lucile Senicourt
- Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Haitham Ayeb
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), University of Louvain (UCLouvain), Croix du Sud 4-5, L7.07.14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Olivier Lequin
- Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Jacques Lacapere
- Sorbonne Université, École Normale Supérieure, PSL University, CNRS, Laboratoire des Biomolécules, 4 Place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Henri Batoko
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), University of Louvain (UCLouvain), Croix du Sud 4-5, L7.07.14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Khrongyut S, Rawangwong A, Pidsaya A, Sakagami H, Kondo H, Hipkaeo W. Localization of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) α, β, γ in the three major salivary glands in situ of mice and their response to β-adrenoceptor stimulation. J Anat 2019; 234:502-514. [PMID: 30734271 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K), which is composed of three isozymes (α, β and γ), catalyzes the production of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2). This phospholipid functions in membrane trafficking, as an anchor for actin cytoskeletons and as a regulator of intramembranous channels/transporters. It is also a precursor of such second messengers as diacylglycerol, inositol triphosphate and phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate. In the present study, the expression and localization of endogenous PIP5Ks were examined in the three major salivary glands of young adult mice in situ. In western blotting of normal control glands, immunoreactive bands for individual PIP5Ks were detectable, with the highest density in the parotid gland and the weakest density in the submandibular gland. In immuno-light microscopy under non-stimulated condition, weak immunoreactivity for PIP5Kα was confined to the apical plasmalemma in parotid, but not sublingual or submandibular, acinar cells. Immunoreactivity for PIP5Kβ was weak to moderate and confined to ductal cells but not acinar cells, whereas that for PIP5Kγ was selectively and intensely detected in myoepithelial cells but not acinar cells, and it was weak in ductal cells in the three glands. In western blot of the parotid gland stimulated by isoproterenol, a β-adrenoceptor agonist, no changes were seen in the intensity of immunoreactive bands for any of the PIP5Ks. In contrast, in immuno-light microscopy, the apical immunoreactivity for PIP5Kα in parotid acinar cells was transiently and distinctly increased after the stimulation. The increased immunoreactivity was ultrastructurally localized on most apical microvilli and along contiguous plasma membrane, where membranous invaginations of various shapes and small vesicles were frequently found. It was thus suggested that PIP5Kα is involved in post-exocytotic membrane dynamics via microvillous membranes. The present finding further suggests that each of the three isoforms of PIP5K functions through its product PIP2 discretely in different cells of the glands to regulate saliva secretion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suthankamon Khrongyut
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Electron Microscopy Unit, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Atsara Rawangwong
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Electron Microscopy Unit, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Atthapon Pidsaya
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Electron Microscopy Unit, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Hiroyuki Sakagami
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Hisatake Kondo
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Electron Microscopy Unit, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.,Department of Organ Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Wiphawi Hipkaeo
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, Electron Microscopy Unit, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Costa NLB, Carvalho CR, Clarindo WR. Improved Procedures to Assess Plant Protoplast Viability: Evidencing Cytological and Genomic Damage. CYTOLOGIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1508/cytologia.83.397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natália Layane Badaró Costa
- Laboratório de Citogenética e Citometria, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa
| | - Carlos Roberto Carvalho
- Laboratório de Citogenética e Citometria, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Viçosa
| | - Wellington Ronildo Clarindo
- Laboratório de Citogenética, Departamento de Biologia, Campus de Alegre, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Anti-exudation effects of sodium ferulate and oxymatrine combination via modulation of aquaporin 1. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:1837-1845. [PMID: 28810657 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the anti-exudative effects of sodium ferulate combined with oxymatrine in a mouse model of acetic acid-induced peritonitis. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms were explored by determining the effects of these drugs on the volume and aquaporin 1 (AQP1) expression in vascular endothelial cells on omentum majus and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Treatment with sodium ferulate combined with oxymatrine was shown to significantly inhibit acetic acid-induced vascular permeability in the peritonitis model mice and furthermore to significantly decrease the optical density of Evans blue, the leukocyte number and the levels of interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and interferon-γ in peritoneal lavage fluid. Pathological analysis of the omentum majus revealed that sodium ferulate and oxymatrine combination treatment significantly alleviated vascular endothelial cell edema and capillary loss. In vitro, flow cytometry revealed that the volume of HUVECs was significantly reduced in the drug treatment groups, as reflected in the forward scatter value. The optical density of AQP1 on the membrane of the vascular endothelial cells on omentum majus and HUVECs were significantly increased in the drug treatment groups compared with the model group. These results indicated that sodium ferulate and oxymatrine combination treatment possessed prominent anti-exudative effects and that the underlying mechanisms are likely to include the improvement of vascular endothelial cellular edema, possibly by upregulation of AQP1 expression on their membrane, which requires further exploration.
Collapse
|
9
|
Meijer HJG, van Himbergen JAJ, Musgrave A, Munnik T. Acclimation to salt modifies the activation of several osmotic stress-activated lipid signalling pathways in Chlamydomonas. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2017; 135:64-72. [PMID: 28017365 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Osmotic stress rapidly activates several phospholipid signalling pathways in the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas. In this report, we have studied the effects of salt-acclimation on growth and phospholipid signalling. Growing cells on media containing 100 mM NaCl increased their salt-tolerance but did not affect the overall phospholipid content, except that levels of phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] were reduced by one-third. When these NaCl-acclimated cells were treated with increasing concentrations of salt, the same lipid signalling pathways as in non-acclimated cells were activated. This was witnessed as increases in phosphatidic acid (PA), lyso-phosphatidic acid (L-PA), diacylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP), PI(4,5)P2 and its isomer PI(3,5)P2. However, all dose-dependent responses were shifted to higher osmotic-stress levels, and the responses were lower than in non-acclimated cells. When NaCl-acclimated cells were treated with other osmotica, such as KCl and sucrose, the same effects were found, illustrating that they were due to hyperosmotic rather than hyperionic acclimation. The results indicate that acclimation to moderate salt stress modifies stress perception and the activation of several downstream pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harold J G Meijer
- Section Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John A J van Himbergen
- Section Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alan Musgrave
- Section Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Munnik
- Section Plant Physiology, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Deshmukh RK, Sonah H, Bélanger RR. Plant Aquaporins: Genome-Wide Identification, Transcriptomics, Proteomics, and Advanced Analytical Tools. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:1896. [PMID: 28066459 PMCID: PMC5167727 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are channel-forming integral membrane proteins that facilitate the movement of water and many other small molecules. Compared to animals, plants contain a much higher number of AQPs in their genome. Homology-based identification of AQPs in sequenced species is feasible because of the high level of conservation of protein sequences across plant species. Genome-wide characterization of AQPs has highlighted several important aspects such as distribution, genetic organization, evolution and conserved features governing solute specificity. From a functional point of view, the understanding of AQP transport system has expanded rapidly with the help of transcriptomics and proteomics data. The efficient analysis of enormous amounts of data generated through omic scale studies has been facilitated through computational advancements. Prediction of protein tertiary structures, pore architecture, cavities, phosphorylation sites, heterodimerization, and co-expression networks has become more sophisticated and accurate with increasing computational tools and pipelines. However, the effectiveness of computational approaches is based on the understanding of physiological and biochemical properties, transport kinetics, solute specificity, molecular interactions, sequence variations, phylogeny and evolution of aquaporins. For this purpose, tools like Xenopus oocyte assays, yeast expression systems, artificial proteoliposomes, and lipid membranes have been efficiently exploited to study the many facets that influence solute transport by AQPs. In the present review, we discuss genome-wide identification of AQPs in plants in relation with recent advancements in analytical tools, and their availability and technological challenges as they apply to AQPs. An exhaustive review of omics resources available for AQP research is also provided in order to optimize their efficient utilization. Finally, a detailed catalog of computational tools and analytical pipelines is offered as a resource for AQP research.
Collapse
|