OsYSL13 Is Involved in Iron Distribution in Rice

Abstract

The uptake and transport of iron (Fe) in plants are both important for plant growth and human health. However, little is known about the mechanism of Fe transport in plants, especially for crops. In the present study, the function of <i>yellow stripe-like 13</i> (<i>YSL13</i>) in rice was analyzed. <i>OsYSL13</i> was highly expressed in leaves, especially in leaf blades, whereas its expression was induced by Fe deficiency both in roots and shoots. Furthermore, the expression level of <i>OsYSL13</i> was higher in older leaves than that in younger leaves. <i>OsYSL13</i> was located in the plasma membrane. Metal measurement revealed that Fe concentrations were lower in the youngest leaf and higher in the older leaves of the <i>osysl13</i> mutant under both Fe sufficiency and deficiency conditions, compared with the wild type and two complementation lines. Moreover, the Fe concentrations in the brown rice and seeds of the <i>osysl13</i> mutant were also reduced. Opposite results were found in <i>OsYSL13</i> overexpression lines. These results suggest that <i>OsYSL13</i> is involved in Fe distribution in rice.