Time course induction of several key enzymes in Medicago truncatula roots in response to Fe deficiency

Forging a symbiosis: transition metal delivery in symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation carried out by the interaction between legumes and rhizobia is the main source of nitrogen in natural ecosystems and in sustainable agriculture. For the symbiosis to be viable, nutrient exchange between the partners is essential. Transition metals are among the nutrients delivered to the nitrogen-fixing bacteria within the legume root nodule cells. These elements are used as cofactors for many of the enzymes controlling nodule development and function, including nitrogenase, the only known enzyme able to convert N2 into NH3 . In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on how iron, zinc, copper, and molybdenum reach the nodules, how they are delivered to nodule cells, and how they are transferred to nitrogen-fixing bacteria within.

Impact of soybean-associated plant growth-promoting bacteria on plant growth modulation under alkaline soil conditions

Conventional strategies to manage iron (Fe) deficiency still present drawbacks, and more eco-sustainable solutions are needed. Knowledge on soybean-specific diversity and functional traits of their plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) potentiates their applicability as bioinoculants to foster soybean performance under calcareous soil conditions. This work aimed to assess the efficacy of PGPB, retrieved from soybean tissues/rhizosphere, in enhancing plant growth and development as well as crop yield under alkaline soil conditions. Seventy-six bacterial strains were isolated from shoots (18%), roots (53%), and rhizosphere (29%) of soybean. Twenty-nine genera were identified, with Bacillus and Microbacterium being the most predominant. Based on distinct plant growth-promoting traits, the endophyte Bacillus licheniformis P2.3 and the rhizobacteria Bacillus aerius S2.14 were selected as bioinoculants. In vivo tests showed that soybean photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content, total fresh weight, and Fe concentrations were not significantly affected by bioinoculation. However, inoculation with B. licheniformis P2.3 increased pod number (33%) and the expression of Fe-related genes (FRO2, IRT1, F6'H1, bHLH38, and FER4), and decreased FC-R activity (45%). Moreover, bioinoculation significantly affected Mn, Zn, and Ca accumulation in plant tissues. Soybean harbors several bacterial strains in their tissues and in the rhizosphere with capacities related to Fe nutrition and plant growth promotion. The strain B. licheniformis P2.3 showed the best potential to be incorporated in bioinoculant formulations for enhancing soybean performance under alkaline soil conditions.

Indole-3-acetaldoxime delays root iron-deficiency responses and modify auxin homeostasis in Medicago truncatula

Iron (Fe) is an essential plant micronutrient, being a major limiting growth factor in calcareous soils. To increase Fe uptake, plants induce lateral roots growth, the expression of a Fe(III)-chelate reductase (FCR), a Fe(II)-transporter and a H⁺-ATPase and the secretion of flavins. Furthermore, auxin hormone family is involved in the Fe-deficiency responses but the action mechanism remains elusive. In this work, we evaluated the effect of the auxin-precursor indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx) on hydroponically grown Medicago truncatula plants under different Fe conditions. Upon 4-days of Fe starvation, the pH of the nutrient solution decreased, while both the FCR activity and the presence of flavins increased. Exogenous IAOx increased lateral roots growth contributing to superroot phenotype, decreased chlorosis, and delayed up to 3-days the pH-decrease, the FCR-activity increase, and the presence of flavins, compared to Fe-deficient plants. Gene expression levels were in concordance with the physiological responses. RESULTS: showed that IAOx was immediately transformed to IAN in roots and shoots to maintain auxin homeostasis. IAOx plays an active role in iron homeostasis delaying symptoms and responses in Fe-deficient plants. We may speculate that IAOx or its derivatives remobilize Fe from root cells to alleviate Fe-deficiency. Overall, these results point out that the IAOx-derived phenotype may have advantages to overcome nutritional stresses.

Protein kinase MtCIPK12 modulates iron reduction in Medicago truncatula by regulating riboflavin biosynthesis

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient, and deficiency in available Fe is one of the most important limiting factors for plant growth. In some species including Medicago truncatula, Fe deficiency results in accumulation of riboflavin, a response associated with Fe acquisition. However, how the plant's Fe status is integrated to tune riboflavin biosynthesis and how riboflavin levels affect Fe acquisition and utilization remains largely unexplored. We report that protein kinase CIPK12 regulates ferric reduction by accumulation of riboflavin and its derivatives in roots of M. truncatula via physiological and molecular characterization of its mutants and over-expressing materials. Mutations in CIPK12 enhance Fe accumulation and improve photosynthetic efficiency, whereas overexpression of CIPK12 shows the opposite phenotypes. The Calcineurin B-like proteins CBL3 and CBL8 interact with CIPK12, which negatively regulates the expression of genes encoding key enzymes in the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway. CIPK12 negatively regulates Fe acquisition by suppressing accumulation of riboflavin and its derivatives in roots, which in turn influences ferric reduction activity by riboflavin-dependent electron transport under Fe deficiency. Our findings uncover a new regulatory mechanism by which CIPK12 regulates riboflavin biosynthesis and Fe-deficiency responses in plants.

Medicago truncatula Yellow Stripe-Like7 encodes a peptide transporter participating in symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Yellow Stripe-Like (YSL) proteins are a family of plant transporters that are typically involved in transition metal homeostasis. Three of the four YSL clades (I, II and IV) transport metals complexed with the non-proteinogenic amino acid nicotianamine or its derivatives. No such capability has been shown for any member of clade III, but the link between these YSLs and metal homeostasis could be masked by functional redundancy. We studied the role of the clade III YSL protein MtSYL7 in Medicago truncatula nodules. MtYSL7, which encodes a plasma membrane-bound protein, is mainly expressed in the pericycle and cortex cells of the root nodules. Yeast complementation assays revealed that MtSYL7 can transport short peptides. M. truncatula transposon insertion mutants with decreased expression of MtYSL7 had lower nitrogen fixation rates and showed reduced plant growth whether grown in symbiosis with rhizobia or not. YSL7 mutants accumulated more copper and iron in the nodules, which is likely to result from the increased expression of iron uptake and delivery genes in roots. Taken together, these data suggest that MtYSL7 plays an important role in the transition metal homeostasis of nodules and symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Medicago truncatula Yellow Stripe-Like7 encodes a peptide transporter participating in symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Yellow Stripe-Like (YSL) proteins are a family of plant transporters that are typically involved in transition metal homeostasis. Three of the four YSL clades (I, II and IV) transport metals complexed with the non-proteinogenic amino acid nicotianamine or its derivatives. No such capability has been shown for any member of clade III, but the link between these YSLs and metal homeostasis could be masked by functional redundancy. We studied the role of the clade III YSL protein MtSYL7 in Medicago truncatula nodules. MtYSL7, which encodes a plasma membrane-bound protein, is mainly expressed in the pericycle and cortex cells of the root nodules. Yeast complementation assays revealed that MtSYL7 can transport short peptides. M. truncatula transposon insertion mutants with decreased expression of MtYSL7 had lower nitrogen fixation rates and showed reduced plant growth whether grown in symbiosis with rhizobia or not. YSL7 mutants accumulated more copper and iron in the nodules, which is likely to result from the increased expression of iron uptake and delivery genes in roots. Taken together, these data suggest that MtYSL7 plays an important role in the transition metal homeostasis of nodules and symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Iron deficient Medicago scutellata grown in nutrient solution at high pH accumulates and secretes large amounts of flavins

Flavin synthesis and secretion is an integral part of the toolbox of root-borne Fe facilitators used by Strategy I species upon Fe deficiency. The Fe-deficiency responses of the wild legume Medicago scutellata grown in nutrient solution have been studied at two different pH values (5.5 and 7.5). Parameters studied include leaf chlorophyll, nutrient solution pH, concentrations and contents of micronutrients, flavin accumulation in roots, flavin export to the medium, and root ferric chelate reductase and acidification activities. Results show that M. scutellata behaves upon Fe deficiency as a Strategy I species, with a marked capacity for synthesizing flavins (riboflavin and three hydroxylated riboflavin derivatives), which becomes more intense at high pH. Results also show that this species is capable of exporting a large amount of flavins to the external medium, both at pH 5.5 and 7.5. This is the first report of a species having a major flavin secretion at pH 7.5, in contrast with the very low flavin secretion found in other flavin-producing species such as Beta vulgaris and M. truncatula. These results provide further support to the hypothesis that flavin secretion is relevant for Fe acquisition at high pH, and open the possibility to improve the Fe-efficiency responses in legumes of agronomic interest.

Medicago truncatula Ferroportin2 mediates iron import into nodule symbiosomes

Iron is an essential cofactor for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, required by many of the enzymes involved, including signal transduction proteins, O₂ homeostasis systems, and nitrogenase itself. Consequently, host plants have developed a transport network to deliver essential iron to nitrogen-fixing nodule cells. Ferroportin family members in model legume Medicago truncatula were identified and their expression was determined. Yeast complementation assays, immunolocalization, characterization of a tnt1 insertional mutant line, and synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence assays were carried out in the nodule-specific M. truncatula ferroportin Medicago truncatula nodule-specific gene Ferroportin2 (MtFPN2) is an iron-efflux protein. MtFPN2 is located in intracellular membranes in the nodule vasculature and in inner nodule tissues, as well as in the symbiosome membranes in the interzone and early-fixation zone of the nodules. Loss-of-function of MtFPN2 alters iron distribution and speciation in nodules, reducing nitrogenase activity and biomass production. Using promoters with different tissular activity to drive MtFPN2 expression in MtFPN2 mutants, we determined that expression in the inner nodule tissues is sufficient to restore the phenotype, while confining MtFPN2 expression to the vasculature did not improve the mutant phenotype. These data indicate that MtFPN2 plays a primary role in iron delivery to nitrogen-fixing bacteroids in M. truncatula nodules.

Bacterial Compound N,N-Dimethylhexadecylamine Modulates Expression of Iron Deficiency and Defense Response Genes in Medicago truncatula Independently of the Jasmonic Acid Pathway

Plants face a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses including attack by microbial phytopathogens and nutrient deficiencies. Some bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) activate defense and iron-deficiency responses in plants. To establish a relationship between defense and iron deficiency through VOCs, we identified key genes in the defense and iron-deprivation responses of the legume model Medicago truncatula and evaluated the effect of the rhizobacterial VOC N,N-dimethylhexadecylamine (DMHDA) on the gene expression in these pathways by RT-qPCR. DMHDA increased M. truncatula growth 1.5-fold under both iron-sufficient and iron-deficient conditions compared with untreated plants, whereas salicylic acid and jasmonic acid decreased growth. Iron-deficiency induced iron uptake and defense gene expression. Moreover, the effect was greater in combination with DMHDA. Salicylic acid, Pseudomonas syringae, jasmonic acid, and Botrytis cinerea had inhibitory effects on growth and iron response gene expression but activated defense genes. Taken together, our results showed that the VOC DMHDA activates defense and iron-deprivation pathways while inducing a growth promoting effect unlike conventional phytohormones, highlighting that DMHDA does not mimic jasmonic acid but induces an alternative pathway. This is a novel aspect in the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic stresses.

Nicotianamine Synthase 2 Is Required for Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Medicago truncatula Nodules

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation carried out by the interaction between legumes and diazotrophic bacteria known as rhizobia requires relatively large levels of transition metals. These elements are cofactors of many key enzymes involved in this process. Metallic micronutrients are obtained from soil by the roots and directed to sink organs by the vasculature, in a process mediated by a number of metal transporters and small organic molecules that facilitate metal delivery in the plant fluids. Among the later, nicotianamine is one of the most important. Synthesized by nicotianamine synthases (NAS), this molecule forms metal complexes participating in intracellular metal homeostasis and long-distance metal trafficking. Here we characterized the NAS2 gene from model legume Medicago truncatula. MtNAS2 is located in the root vasculature and in all nodule tissues in the infection and fixation zones. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation requires of MtNAS2 function, as indicated by the loss of nitrogenase activity in the insertional mutant nas2-1, phenotype reverted by reintroduction of a wild-type copy of MtNAS2. This would result from the altered iron distribution in nas2-1 nodules shown with X-ray fluorescence. Moreover, iron speciation is also affected in these nodules. These data suggest a role of nicotianamine in iron delivery for symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Dynamic role of iron supply in amelioration of cadmium stress by modulating antioxidative pathways and peroxidase enzymes in mungbean

Iron deficiency and cadmium (Cd) stress causes a rapid change in plant physiology. The aim of this work was to characterize the effects of Fe supplementation on redox reactions in leguminous plants under Cd toxicity. The experiments were performed in hydroponic nutrient media, using mungbean grown under 300 µM cadmium chloride with or without Fe for 10 days. The Fe concentration in plants grown under Fe deficiency was reduced by the presence of Cd; however, it recovered to control levels after Fe was supplied. Similarly, a very high Cd concentration was observed in plants grown under Fe deficiency in the presence of Cd toxicity but when Fe was supplied the Cd concentration decreased. After 5 days of Fe deficiency, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione reductase and ascorbate peroxidase) were significantly higher than in plants supplied with Fe in the absence or presence of Cd. However, after 10 days of Fe deficiency, these enzyme activities were severely decreased in the presence of Cd toxicity but increased when Fe was present. The activities of other peroxidase enzymes such as guaiacol peroxidase, syringaldazine peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and benzidine peroxidase decreased after 10 days under Cd toxicity and were further reduced in the absence of Fe. Furthermore, the level of reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione increased for the first 5 days under Cd toxicity under Fe deficiency but was reduced after Fe was supplied to Cd-treated plants. The data indicate that supply of Fe contributes to the alleviation of Cd toxicity in redox reaction pathways in mungbean plants.

Calcium signatures and signaling events orchestrate plant-microbe interactions

Calcium (Ca²⁺) acts as an essential second messenger connecting the perception of microbe signals to the establishment of appropriate immune and symbiotic responses in plants. Accumulating evidence suggests that plants distinguish different microorganisms through plasma membrane-localized pattern recognition receptors. The particular recognition events are encoded into Ca²⁺ signatures, which are sensed by diverse intracellular Ca²⁺ binding proteins. The Ca²⁺ signatures are eventually decoded to distinct downstream responses through transcriptional reprogramming of the defense or symbiosis-related genes. Recent observations further reveal that Ca²⁺-mediated signaling is also involved in negative regulation of plant immunity. This review is intended as an overview of Ca²⁺ signaling during immunity and symbiosis, including Ca²⁺ responses in the nucleus and cytosol.

Effect of tris(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinonate) iron(III) complexes on iron uptake and storage in soybean (Glycine max L.)

Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is a serious environmental problem affecting the growth of several crops in the world. The application of synthetic Fe(III) chelates is still one of the most common measures to correct IDC and the search for more effective Fe chelates remains an important issue. Herein, we propose a tris(3-hydroxy-4-pyridinonate) iron(III) complex, Fe(mpp)3, as an IDC corrector. Different morphological, biochemical and molecular parameters were assessed as a first step towards understanding its mode of action, compared with that of the commercial fertilizer FeEDDHA. Plants treated with the pyridinone iron(III) complexes were significantly greener and had increased biomass. The total Fe content was measured using ICP-OES and plants treated with pyridinone complexes accumulated about 50% more Fe than those treated with the commercial chelate. In particular, plants supplied with compound Fe(mpp)3 were able to translocate iron from the roots to the shoots and did not elicit the expression of the Fe-stress related genes FRO2 and IRT1. These results suggest that 3,4-HPO iron(III) chelates could be a potential new class of plant fertilizing agents.

Flavins secreted by roots of iron-deficient Beta vulgaris enable mining of ferric oxide via reductive mechanisms

Iron (Fe) is abundant in soils but generally poorly soluble. Plants, with the exception of Graminaceae, take up Fe using an Fe(III)-chelate reductase coupled to an Fe(II) transporter. Whether or not nongraminaceous species can convert scarcely soluble Fe(III) forms into soluble Fe forms has deserved little attention so far. We have used Beta vulgaris, one among the many species whose roots secrete flavins upon Fe deficiency, to study whether or not flavins are involved in Fe acquisition. Flavins secreted by Fe-deficient plants were removed from the nutrient solution, and plants were compared with Fe-sufficient plants and Fe-deficient plants without flavin removal. Solubilization of a scarcely soluble Fe(III)-oxide was assessed in the presence or absence of flavins, NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form) or plant roots, and an Fe(II) trapping agent. The removal of flavins from the nutrient solution aggravated the Fe deficiency-induced leaf chlorosis. Flavins were able to dissolve an Fe(III)-oxide in the presence of NADH. The addition of extracellular flavins enabled roots of Fe-deficient plants to reductively dissolve an Fe(III)-oxide. We concluded that root-secretion of flavins improves Fe nutrition in B. vulgaris. Flavins allow B. vulgaris roots to mine Fe from Fe(III)-oxides via reductive mechanisms.

Genotypic Variation under Fe Deficiency Results in Rapid Changes in Protein Expressions and Genes Involved in Fe Metabolism and Antioxidant Mechanisms in Tomato Seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

To investigate Fe deficiency tolerance in tomato cultivars, quantification of proteins and genes involved in Fe metabolism and antioxidant mechanisms were performed in “Roggusanmaru” and “Super Doterang”. Fe deficiency (Moderate, low and –Fe) significantly decreased the biomass, total, and apoplastic Fe concentration of “Roggusanmaru”, while a slight variation was observed in “Super Doterang” cultivar. The quantity of important photosynthetic pigments such as total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents significantly decreased in “Roggusanmaru” than “Super Doterang” cultivar. The total protein profile in leaves and roots determines that “Super Doterang” exhibited an optimal tolerance to Fe deficiency compared to “Roggusanmaru” cultivar. A reduction in expression of PSI (photosystem I), PSII (photosystem II) super-complexes and related thylakoid protein contents were detected in “Roggusanmaru” than “Super Doterang” cultivar. Moreover, the relative gene expression of SlPSI and SlPSII were well maintained in “Super Doterang” than “Roggusanmaru” cultivar. The relative expression of genes involved in Fe-transport (SlIRT1 and SlIRT2) and Fe(III) chelates reductase oxidase (SlFRO1) were relatively reduced in “Roggusanmaru”, while increased in “Super Doterang” cultivar under Fe deficient conditions. The H⁺-ATPase relative gene expression (SlAHA1) in roots were maintained in “Super Doterang” compared to “Roggusanmaru”. Furthermore, the gene expressions involved in antioxidant defense mechanisms (SlSOD, SlAPX and SlCAT) in leaves and roots showed that these genes were highly increased in “Super Doterang”, whereas decreased in “Roggusanmaru” cultivar under Fe deficiency. The present study suggested that “Super Doterang” is better tomato cultivar than “Roggusanmaru” for calcareous soils.

Proline synthesis in barley under iron deficiency and salinity

This work investigates proline synthesis in six barley varieties subjected to iron deficiency, salinity or both stresses. The highest growth under Fe sufficiency corresponded to Belgrano and Shakira. A moderate augment of leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity was observed in all six varieties in response to Fe deficiency, consistently in leaves and sporadically in roots. All six varieties accumulated proline under Fe deficiency, to a higher extent in leaves than in roots. The decrease of Fe supply from 100 μM NaFe(III)-EDTA to 0.5 μM NaFe(III)-EDTA reduced growth and photosynthetic pigments similarly in the six barley varieties. On the contrary, differences between varieties could be observed with respect to increased or, conversely, decreased proline content as a function of the amount of NaFe(III)-EDTA supplied. These two opposite types were represented by Belgrano (higher proline under Fe deficiency) and Shakira (higher proline under Fe sufficiency). Time-course experiments suggested that leaf PEPC activity was not directly responsible for supplying C for proline synthesis under Fe deficiency. High proline levels in the leaves of Fe-deficient Belgrano plants in salinity were associated to a better performance of this variety under these combined stresses.

Medicago truncatula natural resistance-associated macrophage Protein1 is required for iron uptake by rhizobia-infected nodule cells

Iron is critical for symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) as a key component of multiple ferroproteins involved in this biological process. In the model legume Medicago truncatula, iron is delivered by the vasculature to the infection/maturation zone (zone II) of the nodule, where it is released to the apoplast. From there, plasma membrane iron transporters move it into rhizobia-containing cells, where iron is used as the cofactor of multiple plant and rhizobial proteins (e.g. plant leghemoglobin and bacterial nitrogenase). MtNramp1 (Medtr3g088460) is the M. truncatula Natural Resistance-Associated Macrophage Protein family member, with the highest expression levels in roots and nodules. Immunolocalization studies indicate that MtNramp1 is mainly targeted to the plasma membrane. A loss-of-function nramp1 mutant exhibited reduced growth compared with the wild type under symbiotic conditions, but not when fertilized with mineral nitrogen. Nitrogenase activity was low in the mutant, whereas exogenous iron and expression of wild-type MtNramp1 in mutant nodules increased nitrogen fixation to normal levels. These data are consistent with a model in which MtNramp1 is the main transporter responsible for apoplastic iron uptake by rhizobia-infected cells in zone II.

Medicago truncatula ecotypes A17 and R108 differed in their response to iron deficiency

Medicago truncatula Gaertn is a model legume species with a wide genetic diversity. To evaluate the responses of the two M. truncatula ecotypes, the effect of Fe deficiency on ecotype A17 and ecotype R108, which have been widely used in physiological and molecular studies, was investigated. A greater reduction in shoot Fe concentration of R108 plants than that of A17 plants was observed under Fe-deficient conditions. Exposure to Fe-deficient medium led to a greater increase in ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity in roots of A17 than those of R108 plants, while expression of genes encoding FCR in roots of A17 and R108 plants was similarly up-regulated by Fe deficiency. Exposure of A17 plants to Fe-deficient medium evoked an ethylene evolution from roots, while the same treatment had no effect on ethylene evolution from R108 roots. There was a significant increase in expression of MtIRT encoding a Fe transporter in A17, but not in R108 plants, upon exposure to Fe-deficient medium. Transcripts of MtFRD3 that is responsible for loading of iron chelator citrate into xylem were up-regulated by Fe deficiency in A17, but not in R108 plants. These results suggest that M. truncatula ecotypes A17 and R108 differed in their response and adaptation to Fe deficiency, and that ethylene may play an important role in regulation of greater tolerance of A17 plant to Fe deficiency. These findings provide important clues for further elucidation of molecular mechanism by which legume plants respond and adapt to low soil Fe availability.

Fixating on metals: new insights into the role of metals in nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is one of the most promising and immediate alternatives to the overuse of polluting nitrogen fertilizers for improving plant nutrition. At the core of this process are a number of metalloproteins that catalyze and provide energy for the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, eliminate free radicals produced by this process, and create the microaerobic conditions required by these reactions. In legumes, metal cofactors are provided to endosymbiotic rhizobia within root nodule cortical cells. However, low metal bioavailability is prevalent in most soils types, resulting in widespread plant metal deficiency and decreased nitrogen fixation capabilities. As a result, renewed efforts have been undertaken to identify the mechanisms governing metal delivery from soil to the rhizobia, and to determine how metals are used in the nodule and how they are recycled once the nodule is no longer functional. This effort is being aided by improved legume molecular biology tools (genome projects, mutant collections, and transformation methods), in addition to state-of-the-art metal visualization systems.

Medicago truncatula increases its iron-uptake mechanisms in response to volatile organic compounds produced by Sinorhizobium meliloti

Medicago truncatula represents a model plant species for understanding legume-bacteria interactions. M. truncatula roots form a specific root-nodule symbiosis with the nitrogen-fixing bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation generates high iron (Fe) demands for bacterial nitrogenase holoenzyme and plant leghemoglobin proteins. Leguminous plants acquire Fe via "Strategy I," which includes mechanisms such as rhizosphere acidification and enhanced ferric reductase activity. In the present work, we analyzed the effect of S. meliloti volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on the Fe-uptake mechanisms of M. truncatula seedlings under Fe-deficient and Fe-rich conditions. Axenic cultures showed that both plant and bacterium modified VOC synthesis in the presence of the respective symbiotic partner. Importantly, in both Fe-rich and -deficient experiments, bacterial VOCs increased the generation of plant biomass, rhizosphere acidification, ferric reductase activity, and chlorophyll content in plants. On the basis of our results, we propose that M. truncatula perceives its symbiont through VOC emissions, and in response, increases Fe-uptake mechanisms to facilitate symbiosis.

Metabolic responses to iron deficiency in roots of Carrizo citrange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. x Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf]

The effects of iron (Fe) deficiency on the low-molecular-weight organic acid (LMWOA) metabolism have been investigated in Carrizo citrange (CC) [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] roots. Major LMWOAs found in roots, xylem sap and root exudates were citrate and malate and their concentrations increased with Fe deficiency. The activities of several enzymes involved in the LMWOA metabolism were also assessed in roots. In the cytosolic fraction, the activities of malate dehydrogenase (cMDH) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) enzymes were 132 and 100% higher in Fe-deficient conditions, whereas the activity of pyruvate kinase was 31% lower and the activity of malic enzyme (ME) did not change. In the mitochondrial fraction, the activities of fumarase, MDH and citrate synthase enzymes were 158, 117 and 53% higher, respectively, in Fe-deficient extracts when compared with Fe-sufficient controls, whereas no significant differences between treatments were found for aconitase (ACO) activity. The expression of their corresponding genes in roots of Fe-deficient plants was higher than that measured in Fe-sufficient controls, except for ACO and ME. Also, dicarboxylate-tricarboxylate carrier (DTC) expression was significantly increased in Fe-deficient roots. In conclusion, Fe deficiency in CC seedlings causes a reprogramming of the carbon metabolism that involves an increase of anaplerotic fixation of carbon via PEPC and MDH activities in the cytosol and a shift of the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria towards a non-cyclic mode, as previously described in herbaceous species. In this scheme, DTC could play an important role shuttling both malate and reducing equivalents between the cytosol and the mitochondria. As a result of this metabolic switch malate and citrate concentrations in roots, xylem sap and root exudates increase.

Identification and expression analysis of multiple FRO gene copies in Medicago truncatula

Iron (Fe) is an essential element for plant growth. Commonly, this element is found in an oxidized form in soil, which is poorly available for plants. Therefore, plants have evolved ferric-chelate reductase enzymes (FRO) to reduce iron into a more soluble ferrous form. Fe scarcity in plants induce the FRO enzyme activity. Although the legume Medicago truncatula has been employed as a model for FRO activity studies, only one copy of the M. truncatula MtFRO1 gene has been characterized so far. In this study, we identified multiple gene copies of the MtFRO gene in the genome of M. truncatula by an in silico search, using BLAST analysis in the database of the M. truncatula Genome Sequencing Project and the National Center for Biotechnology Information, and also determined whether they are functional. We identified five genes apart from MtFRO1, which had been already characterized. All of the MtFRO genes exhibited high identity with homologous FRO genes from Lycopersicon esculentum, Citrus junos and Arabidopsis thaliana. The gene copies also presented characteristic conserved FAD and NADPH motifs, transmembrane regions and oxidoreductase signature motifs. We also detected expression in five of the putative MtFRO sequences by semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis, performed with mRNA from root and shoot tissues. Iron scarcity might be a condition for an elevated expression of the MtFRO genes observed in different M. truncatula tissues.

Increased de novo riboflavin synthesis and hydrolysis of FMN are involved in riboflavin secretion from Hyoscyamus albus hairy roots under iron deficiency

Riboflavin secretion by Hyoscyamus albus hairy roots under Fe deficiency was examined to determine where riboflavin is produced and whether production occurs via an enhancement of riboflavin biosynthesis or a stimulation of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) hydrolysis. Confocal fluorescent microscopy showed that riboflavin was mainly localized in the epidermis and cortex of the root tip and, at the cellular level, in the apoplast. The expressions of three genes involved in the de novo biosynthesis of riboflavin (GTP cyclohydrolase II/3,4-dihydroxy-2-butanone 4-phosphate synthase; 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine synthase; riboflavin synthase) were compared between Fe-starved and Fe-replete roots over a time-course of 7 days, using RT-PCR. All three genes were found to be highly expressed over the period 1-7 days in the roots cultured under Fe deficiency. Since riboflavin secretion began to be detected only from 3 days, there was a lag phase observed between the increased transcript accumulations and riboflavin secretion. To determine whether FMN hydrolysis might contribute to the riboflavin secretion in Fe-deficient root cultures, FMN hydrolase activity was determined and was found to be substantially increased after 3 days, when riboflavin secretion became detectable. These results suggested that not only de novo riboflavin synthesis but also the hydrolysis of FMN contributes to riboflavin secretion under conditions of Fe deficiency. Respiration activity was assayed during the time-course, and was also found to be enhanced after 3 days under Fe deficiency, suggesting a possible link with riboflavin secretion. On the other hand, several respiratory inhibitors were found not to affect riboflavin synthase transcript accumulation.

Application of the split root technique to study iron uptake in cucumber plants

The regulation exerted by the Fe status in the plant on Fe deficiency responses was investigated in Cucumis sativus L. roots at both biochemical and molecular levels. Besides the two activities strictly correlated with Fe deficiency response, those of the Fe(III)-chelate reductase and the high affinity Fe transporter, we considered also H(+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.3.6) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31), that have been shown to be involved in this response. Both enzymatic activities and gene expression were monitored using a split root system. Absence of Fe induced the expression of the four transcripts, accompanied by an increase in the corresponding enzymatic activities. The application of the split root technique gave some information about the regulation of Fe uptake. In fact, 24 h after split root application, transcripts were still high and comparable to those of the -Fe control in the Fe-supplied half side, while in the -Fe side there was a drop in the expression and the relative enzymatic activities. Major changes occurred after 48 and 72 h. The coordinated regulation of these responses is discussed.

Discovering the role of mitochondria in the iron deficiency-induced metabolic responses of plants

In plants, iron (Fe) deficiency-induced chlorosis is a major problem, affecting both yield and quality of crops. Plants have evolved multifaceted strategies, such as reductase activity, proton extrusion, and specialised storage proteins, to mobilise Fe from the environment and distribute it within the plant. Because of its fundamental role in plant productivity, several issues concerning Fe homeostasis in plants are currently intensively studied. The activation of Fe uptake reactions requires an overall adaptation of the primary metabolism because these activities need the constant supply of energetic substrates (i.e., NADPH and ATP). Several studies concerning the metabolism of Fe-deficient plants have been conducted, but research focused on mitochondrial implications in adaptive responses to nutritional stress has only begun in recent years. Mitochondria are the energetic centre of the root cell, and they are strongly affected by Fe deficiency. Nevertheless, they display a high level of functional flexibility, which allows them to maintain the viability of the cell. Mitochondria represent a crucial target of studies on plant homeostasis, and it might be of interest to concentrate future research on understanding how mitochondria orchestrate the reprogramming of root cell metabolism under Fe deficiency. In this review, I summarise what it is known about the effect of Fe deficiency on mitochondrial metabolism and morphology. Moreover, I present a detailed view of the possible roles of mitochondria in the development of plant responses to Fe deficiency, integrating old findings with new and discussing new hypotheses for future investigations.

The remarkable diversity of plant PEPC (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase): recent insights into the physiological functions and post-translational controls of non-photosynthetic PEPCs

PEPC [PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate) carboxylase] is a tightly controlled enzyme located at the core of plant C-metabolism that catalyses the irreversible β-carboxylation of PEP to form oxaloacetate and Pi. The critical role of PEPC in assimilating atmospheric CO2 during C4 and Crassulacean acid metabolism photosynthesis has been studied extensively. PEPC also fulfils a broad spectrum of non-photosynthetic functions, particularly the anaplerotic replenishment of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates consumed during biosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation. An impressive array of strategies has evolved to co-ordinate in vivo PEPC activity with cellular demands for C4–C6 carboxylic acids. To achieve its diverse roles and complex regulation, PEPC belongs to a small multigene family encoding several closely related PTPCs (plant-type PEPCs), along with a distantly related BTPC (bacterial-type PEPC). PTPC genes encode ~110-kDa polypeptides containing conserved serine-phosphorylation and lysine-mono-ubiquitination sites, and typically exist as homotetrameric Class-1 PEPCs. In contrast, BTPC genes encode larger ~117-kDa polypeptides owing to a unique intrinsically disordered domain that mediates BTPC's tight interaction with co-expressed PTPC subunits. This association results in the formation of unusual ~900-kDa Class-2 PEPC hetero-octameric complexes that are desensitized to allosteric effectors. BTPC is a catalytic and regulatory subunit of Class-2 PEPC that is subject to multi-site regulatory phosphorylation in vivo. The interaction between divergent PEPC polypeptides within Class-2 PEPCs adds another layer of complexity to the evolution, physiological functions and metabolic control of this essential CO2-fixing plant enzyme. The present review summarizes exciting developments concerning the functions, post-translational controls and subcellular location of plant PTPC and BTPC isoenzymes.

Metabolic response in roots of Prunus rootstocks submitted to iron chlorosis

Iron deficiency induces several responses to iron shortage in plants. Metabolic changes occur to sustain the increased iron uptake capacity of Fe-deficient plants. We evaluated the metabolic changes of three Prunus rootstocks submitted to iron chlorosis and their different responses for tolerance using measurements of metabolites and enzymatic activities. The more tolerant rootstocks Adesoto (Prunus insititia) and GF 677 (Prunus amygdalus×Prunus persica), and the more sensitive Barrier (P. persica×Prunus davidiana) were grown hydroponically in iron-sufficient and -deficient conditions over two weeks. Sugar, organic and amino acid concentrations of root tips were determined after two weeks of iron shortage by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of extracts. Complementary analyses of organic acids were performed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The major soluble sugars found were glucose and sucrose. The major organic acids were malic and citric acids, and the major amino acid was asparagine. Iron deficiency increased root sucrose, total organic and amino acid concentrations and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. After two weeks of iron deficiency, the malic, citric and succinic acid concentrations increased in the three rootstocks, although no significant differences were found among genotypes with different tolerance to iron chlorosis. The tolerant rootstock Adesoto showed higher total organic and amino acid concentrations. In contrast, the susceptible rootstock Barrier showed lower total amino acid concentration and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity values. These results suggest that the induction of this enzyme activity under iron deficiency, as previously shown in herbaceous plants, indicates the tolerance level of rootstocks to iron chlorosis. The analysis of other metabolic parameters, such as organic and amino acid concentrations, provides complementary information for selection of genotypes tolerant to iron chlorosis.