<i>MsYSL6</i>, A Metal Transporter Gene of Alfalfa, Increases Iron Accumulation and Benefits Cadmium Resistance
Miao Zhang,
Meng-Han Chang,
Hong Li,
Yong-Jun Shu,
Yan Bai,
Jing-Yun Gao,
Jing-Xuan Zhu,
Xiao-Yu Dong,
Dong-Lin Guo,
Chang-Hong Guo
Affiliations
Miao Zhang
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Meng-Han Chang
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Hong Li
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Yong-Jun Shu
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Yan Bai
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Jing-Yun Gao
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Jing-Xuan Zhu
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Xiao-Yu Dong
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Dong-Lin Guo
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Chang-Hong Guo
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Cell Genetics and Genetic Breeding, College of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Iron (Fe) is necessary for plant growth and development. The mechanism of uptake and translocation in Cadmium (Cd) is similar to iron, which shares iron transporters. Yellow stripe-like transporter (YSL) plays a pivotal role in transporting iron and other metal ions in plants. In this study, MsYSL6 and its promoter were cloned from leguminous forage alfalfa. The transient expression of MsYSL6-GFP indicated that MsYSL6 was localized to the plasma membrane and cytoplasm. The expression of MsYSL6 was induced in alfalfa by iron deficiency and Cd stress, which was further proved by GUS activity driven by the MsYSL6 promoter. To further identify the function of MsYSL6, it was heterologously overexpressed in tobacco. MsYSL6-overexpressed tobacco showed better growth and less oxidative damage than WT under Cd stress. MsYSL6 overexpression elevated Fe and Cd contents and induced a relatively high Fe translocation rate in tobacco under Cd stress. The results suggest that MsYSL6 might have a dual function in the absorption of Fe and Cd, playing a role in the competitive absorption between Fe and Cd. MsYSL6 might be a regulatory factor in plants to counter Cd stress. This study provides a novel gene for application in heavy metal enrichment or phytoremediation and new insights into plant tolerance to toxic metals.
