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Identification of a copper transporter family in Arabidopsis thaliana

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Abstract

Despite copper ions being crucial in proteins participating in plant processes such as electron transport, free-radical elimination and hormone perception and signaling, very little is known about copper inward transport across plant membranes. In this work, a five-member family (COPT1–5) of putative Arabidopsis copper transporters is described. We ascertain the ability of these proteins to functionally complement and transport copper in the corresponding Saccharomyces cerevisiae high-affinity copper transport mutant. The specific expression pattern of the Arabidopsis COPT1–5 mRNA in different tissues was analyzed by RT-PCR. Although all members are ubiquitously expressed, differences in their relative abundance in roots, leaves, stem and flowers have been observed. Moreover, steady-state COPT1 and COPT2 mRNA levels, the members that are most efficacious in complementing the S. cerevisiae high-affinity copper transport mutant, are down-regulated under copper excess, consistent with a role for these proteins in copper transport in Arabidopsis cells.

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Author notes

  1. Helena Mira

    Present address: Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0606, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, Burjassot, València, 46100, Spain

    Vicente Sancenón, Helena Mira & Lola Peñarrubia

  2. Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0606, USA

    Sergi Puig & Dennis J. Thiele

Authors
  1. Vicente Sancenón
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  2. Sergi Puig
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  5. Lola Peñarrubia
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Correspondence to Lola Peñarrubia.

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Sancenón, V., Puig, S., Mira, H. et al. Identification of a copper transporter family in Arabidopsis thaliana . Plant Mol Biol 51, 577–587 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022345507112

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