Iron uptake, translocation and regulation in rice.

Iron is essential for growth and development of rice, which is able to take up Fe(3+)-phytosiderophore, Fe(2+)-nicotianamine and free Fe(2+). Researchers have uncovered key molecular components including transporters, enzymes, and chelators involved in iron uptake and translocation, as well as factors regulating the expression of these genes in rice. Manipulation of these molecular components has produced transgenic rice with enhanced tolerance to alkaline stress on calcareous soils with low-Fe availability due to high soil pH. In this review, we mainly summarize the molecular mechanisms of iron uptake, translocation, and regulation in rice, and discuss some perspectives of this field.