Abstract
Iron, zinc, manganese, cupper are required for development of reproductive organs and seeds. Metal chelators are also required for metal transport to reproductive organs and seeds. Mugineic acid family phytosiderophores are metal chelators biosynthesized in graminaceous plants, and NA, a chelator of metals, is ubiquitously present in higher plants. Deoxymugineic acid (DMA) is found in rice plant and is produced from NA in two steps catalyzed by nicotianamine aminotransferase (NAAT) and DMA synthase (DMAS).
In this study, we investigated the gene expressions of OsYSL2, a transporter of Fe(II)-NA and Mn(II)-NA, OsYSL15, Fe(III)-DMA transporter, OsIRT1, Fe(II) transporter, OsZIP4, Zn(II) transporter, OsNASs, nicotianamine synthase, OsNAAT1 and OsDMAS1 in inflorescences and seeds of rice plant to illuminate the role of NA and MAs at reproductive stage in monocot. Distribution and transport of metals were analyzed by tracer experiments and a synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microprobe.
