The potassium channel GhAKT2bD is regulated by CBL-CIPK calcium signaling complexes and facilitates K+ allocation in cotton

Efficient allocation of the essential nutrient potassium (K⁺ ) is a central determinant of plant ion homeostasis and involves AKT2 K⁺ channels. Here, we characterize four AKT2 K⁺ channels from cotton and report that xylem and phloem expressed GhAKT2bD facilitates K⁺ allocation and that AKT2-silencing impairs plant growth and development. We uncover kinase activity-dependent activation of GhAKT2bD-mediated K⁺ uptake by AtCBL4-GhCIPK1 calcium signaling complexes in HEK293T cells. Moreover, AtCBL4-AtCIPK6 complexes known to convey activation of AtAKT2 in Arabidopsis also activate cotton GhAKT2bD in HEK293T cells. Collectively, these findings reveal an essential role for AKT2 in the source-sink allocation of K⁺ in cotton and identify GhAKT2bD as subject to complex regulation by CBL-CIPK Ca²⁺ sensor-kinase complexes.

A potassium-sensing niche in Arabidopsis roots orchestrates signaling and adaptation responses to maintain nutrient homeostasis

Organismal homeostasis of the essential ion K⁺ requires sensing of its availability, efficient uptake, and defined distribution. Understanding plant K⁺ nutrition is essential to advance sustainable agriculture, but the mechanisms underlying K⁺ sensing and the orchestration of downstream responses have remained largely elusive. Here, we report where plants sense K⁺ deprivation and how this translates into spatially defined ROS signals to govern specific downstream responses. We define the organ-scale K⁺ pattern of roots and identify a postmeristematic K⁺-sensing niche (KSN) where rapid K⁺ decline and Ca²⁺ signals coincide. Moreover, we outline a bifurcating low-K⁺-signaling axis of CIF peptide-activated SGN3-LKS4/SGN1 receptor complexes that convey low-K⁺-triggered phosphorylation of the NADPH oxidases RBOHC, RBOHD, and RBOHF. The resulting ROS signals simultaneously convey HAK5 K⁺ uptake-transporter induction and accelerated Casparian strip maturation. Collectively, these mechanisms synchronize developmental differentiation and transcriptome reprogramming for maintaining K⁺ homeostasis and optimizing nutrient foraging by roots.