Natural variation of TBR confers plant zinc toxicity tolerance through root cell wall pectin methylesterification

Kaizhen Zhong, Peng Zhang, Xiangjin Wei, Matthieu Pierre Platre, Wenrong He, Ling Zhang, Anna Małolepszy, Min Cao, Shikai Hu, Shaoqing Tang, Baohai Li (), Peisong Hu () and Wolfgang Busch ()
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Kaizhen Zhong: China National Rice Research Institute
Peng Zhang: China National Rice Research Institute
Xiangjin Wei: China National Rice Research Institute
Matthieu Pierre Platre: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Wenrong He: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Ling Zhang: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Anna Małolepszy: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Min Cao: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Shikai Hu: China National Rice Research Institute
Shaoqing Tang: China National Rice Research Institute
Baohai Li: Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Peisong Hu: China National Rice Research Institute
Wolfgang Busch: Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient but can be cytotoxic when present in excess. Plants have evolved mechanisms to tolerate Zn toxicity. To identify genetic loci responsible for natural variation of plant tolerance to Zn toxicity, we conduct genome-wide association studies for root growth responses to high Zn and identify 21 significant associated loci. Among these loci, we identify Trichome Birefringence (TBR) allelic variation determining root growth variation in high Zn conditions. Natural alleles of TBR determine TBR transcript and protein levels which affect pectin methylesterification in root cell walls. Together with previously published data showing that pectin methylesterification increase goes along with decreased Zn binding to cell walls in TBR mutants, our findings lead to a model in which TBR allelic variation enables Zn tolerance through modulating root cell wall pectin methylesterification. The role of TBR in Zn tolerance is conserved across dicot and monocot plant species.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50106-5

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