AUTHOR=Zhang Xinrong , Kong Jiao , Yu Lingzhi , Wang Anhu , Yang Yi , Li Xiaoyi , Wang Jianmei 

TITLE=Functional characterization of Fagopyrum tataricum ZIP gene family as a metal ion transporter

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1373066

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2024.1373066

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>The zinc/iron-regulated transporter-like proteins (ZIP) family acts as an important transporter for divalent metal cations such as Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, and even Cd. However, their condition is unclear in Tartary buckwheat (<italic>Fagopyrum tataricum</italic>). Here, 13 ZIP proteins were identified and were predicted to be mostly plasma membrane-localized. The transient expressions of <italic>FtZIP2</italic> and <italic>FtZIP6</italic> in tobacco confirmed the prediction. Multiple sequence alignment analysis of FtZIP proteins revealed that most of them had 8 putative transmembrane (TM) domains and a variable region rich in histidine residues between TM3 and TM4, indicating the reliable affinity to metal ions. Gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR showed that <italic>FtZIP</italic> genes were markedly different in different organs, such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. However, in seedlings, the relative expression of <italic>FtZIP10</italic> was notably induced under the CdCl<sub>2</sub> treatment, while excessive Zn<sup>2+</sup>, Fe<sup>2+</sup>, Mn<sup>2+</sup> and Cd<sup>2+</sup> increased the transcript of <italic>FtZIP5</italic> or <italic>FtZIP13</italic>, in comparison to normal conditions. Complementation of yeast mutants with the FtZIP family genes demonstrate that FtZIP7/10/12 transport Zn, FtZIP5/6/7/9/10/11 transport Fe, FtZIP12 transports Mn and FtZIP2/3/4/7 transport Cd. Our data suggest that FtZIP proteins have conserved functions of transportation of metal ions but with distinct spatial expression levels.</p>