biostudies-literatureUnknown32(10)Naumann CAccess to inorganic phosphate (Pi), a principal intermediate of energy and nucleotide metabolism, profoundly affects cellular activities and plant performance. In most soils, antagonistic Pi-metal interactions restrict Pi bioavailability, which guides local root development to maximize Pi interception. Growing root tips scout the essential but immobile mineral nutrient; however, the mechanisms monitoring external Pi status are unknown. Here, we show that Arabidopsis LOW PHOSPHATE ROOT 1 (LPR1), one key determinant of Fe-dependent Pi sensing in root meristems, encodes a novel ferroxidase of high substrate specificity and affinity (apparent K_M ∼ 2 μM Fe²⁺). LPR1 typifies an ancient, Fe-oxidizing multicopper protein family that evolved early upon bacterial land colonizatCurrent biology : CB2189-2205.e6https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9168544biostudies-literatureBacterial-type ferroxidase tunes iron-dependent phosphate sensing during Arabidopsis root development.PMC9168544Heisters MQuint MAbel SMechtler KImre RHoehenwarter WBrandt WTang NNaumann CJanitza PZiegler JAlfs CSawers GDagdas YToto Nienguesso AfalseBacterial-type ferroxidase tunes iron-dependent phosphate sensing during Arabidopsis root development.Access to inorganic phosphate (Pi), a principal intermediate of energy and nucleotide metabolism, profoundly affects cellular activities and plant performance. In most soils, antagonistic Pi-metal interactions restrict Pi bioavailability, which guides local root development to maximize Pi interception. Growing root tips scout the essential but immobile mineral nutrient; however, the mechanisms monitoring external Pi status are unknown. Here, we show that Arabidopsis LOW PHOSPHATE ROOT 1 (LPR1), one key determinant of Fe-dependent Pi sensing in root meristems, encodes a novel ferroxidase of high substrate specificity and affinity (apparent K_M ∼ 2 μM Fe²⁺). LPR1 typifies an ancient, Fe-oxidizing multicopper protein family that evolved early upon bacterial land colonizat2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 May2026-05-09T23:46:09.904Z2025-04-04T22:14:48.83ZS-EPMC91685443547231110.1016/j.cub.2022.04.005