Glutamine, arginine and the amino acid transporter Pt-CAT11 play important roles during senescence in poplar.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Nitrogen (N) availability in the forest soil is extremely low and N economy has a special importance in woody plants that are able to cope with seasonal periods of growth and development over many years. Here we report on the analysis of amino acid pools and expression of key genes in the perennial species Populus trichocarpa during autumn senescence.

Methods

Amino acid pools were measured throughout senescence. Expression analysis of arginine synthesis genes and cationic amino acid transporter (CAT) genes during senescence was performed. Heterologous expression in yeast mutants was performed to study Pt-CAT11 function in detail.

Key results

Analysis of amino acid pools showed an increase of glutamine in leaves and an accumulation of arginine in st

SUBMITTER: Couturier J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2887068 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature