Phosphorus is an important macronutrient for plant growth and is acquired by plants mainly as phosphate (P). Phosphate transporters (Phts) are responsible for P and arsenate (AsV) uptake in plants including arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata. P. vittata is efficient in AsV uptake and P utilization， but the molecular mechanism of its P uptake is largely unknown. In this study， a P. vittata Pht， PvPht1;2， was cloned and transformed into tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum). In hydroponic experiments， all transgenic lines displayed markedly higher P content and better growth than wild type， suggesting that PvPht1;2 mediated P uptake in plants. In addition， expressing PvPht1;2 also increased the shoot/ro... More
Phosphorus is an important macronutrient for plant growth and is acquired by plants mainly as phosphate (P). Phosphate transporters (Phts) are responsible for P and arsenate (AsV) uptake in plants including arsenic-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata. P. vittata is efficient in AsV uptake and P utilization， but the molecular mechanism of its P uptake is largely unknown. In this study， a P. vittata Pht， PvPht1;2， was cloned and transformed into tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum). In hydroponic experiments， all transgenic lines displayed markedly higher P content and better growth than wild type， suggesting that PvPht1;2 mediated P uptake in plants. In addition， expressing PvPht1;2 also increased the shoot/root P ratio by 69-92% and enhanced xylem sap P by 46-62%， indicating that PvPht1;2 also mediated P translocation in plants. Unlike many Phts permeable to AsV， PvPht1;2 showed little ability to transport AsV. In soil experiments， PvPht1;2 also significantly increased shoot biomass without elevating As accumulation in PvPht1;2 transgenic tobacco. Taken together， our results demonstrated that PvPht1;2 is a specific P transporter responsible for P acquisition and translocation in plants. We envisioned that PvPht1;2 can enhance crop P acquisition without impacting AsV uptake， thereby increasing crop production without compromising food safety.
