V-ATPases and amino acid catabolism are strongly disturbed in the roots of autophagy mutants in Arabidopsis, impacting water use efficiency and tricarboxylic acid metabolism.

ABSTRACT: Autophagy is essential for homeostasis and nutrient recycling. Its activity increases with aging and in response to deficiencies. The effects of defective autophagy on root metabolism have not yet been described. Addressing this question through root proteome analyses, we found that most V-ATPases were less abundant in the roots of autophagy mutants than in wild type. V-ATPases deficit, associated with lower root water contents and lower nitrate, magnesium, and potassium concentrations, indicated that the disturbance of cellular ion and water management in autophagy mutants was likely related to vacuole function. Isotopic δ¹³C analyses and leaf temperature measurements using thermography showed that water deficit in autophagy mutants was not due to excess transpiration, as the c

SUBMITTER: James M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12303585 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature