Min Ning, Shi Jia Liu, Fenglin Deng, Liyu Huang, Hu Li, Jing Che, Naoki Yamaji, Fengyi Hu, Gui Jie Lei
Rice grain is a poor dietary source of zinc (Zn) but the primary source of cadmium (Cd) for humans; however, the molecular mechanisms for their accumulation in rice grain remain incompletely understood. This study functionally characterized a tonoplast-localized transporter, OsMTP1. OsMTP1 was preferentially expressed in the roots, aleurone layer, and embryo of seeds. OsMTP1 knockout decreased Zn concentration in the root cell sap, roots, aleurone layer and embryo, and subsequently increased Zn concentration in shoots and polished rice (endosperm) without yield penalty...
June 27, 2023: New Phytologist