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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Plant sulfate transporter protein sequences for phylogenetic analysis

Sulfur is an essential macronutrient that supports plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stress. Sulfate is the predominant inorganic form of sulfur in soils, and its uptake by roots and translocation to shoots are facilitated by the sulfate transporter (SULTR) family of proteins. Although the first plant SULTR gene was identified nearly three decades ago, several subfamily members, particularly those in the expansive and angiosperm-specific SULTR3 group, remain poorly characterized. To support comprehensive phylogenetic and sequence-based analyses, we compiled a curated dataset of 262 SULTR protein sequences from 22 plant species spanning the evolutionary breadth of land plants. This collection includes representatives from two basal lineages, two early-divergent angiosperms, six monocots, and ten dicots. All sequences were extracted from genome assemblies available in Phytozome v13 (Joint Genome Institute) and manually curated, with cross-referencing to additional databases such as NCBI when needed. This dataset provides a valuable resource for reconstructing the evolutionary history of the SULTR family, with particular emphasis on the diversification of SULTR3 transporters in flowering plants. This resource may also support functional annotation, comparative genomics, and structural modeling of sulfate transport proteins.

CBI↗
DOE OSTI2022

Important Roles of Thiols in Methylmercury Uptake and Translocation by Rice Plants

We report the bioaccumulation of the neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) in rice is a significant concern due to its potential risk to humans. Thiols have been known to affect MeHg bioavailability in microorganisms, but how thiols influence MeHg accumulation in rice plants remains unknown. Here, we investigated effects of common low-molecular-weight thiols, including cysteine (Cys), glutathione (GSH), and penicillamine (PEN), on MeHg uptake and translocation by rice plants. Results show that rice roots can rapidly take up MeHg, and this process is influenced by the types and concentrations of thiols in the system. The presence of Cys facilitated MeHg uptake by roots and translocation to shoots, while GSH could only promote MeHg uptake, but not translocation, by roots. Conversely, PEN significantly inhibited MeHg uptake and translocation to shoots. Using labeled 13 Cys assays, we also found that MeHg uptake was coupled with Cys accumulation in rice roots. Moreover, analyses of comparative transcriptomics revealed that key genes associated with metallothionein and SULTR transporter families may be involved in MeHg uptake. These findings provide new insights into the uptake and translocation of MeHg in rice plants and suggest potential roles of thiol attributes in affecting MeHg bioavailability and bioaccumulation in rice.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗