The BnALMT1 and BnALMT2 Genes from Rape Encode Aluminum-Activated Malate Transporters That Enhance the Aluminum Resistance of Plant Cells.
The expression of these genes was induced in roots, but not shoots, by Al treatment but P deficiency had no effect. Several other cations (lanthanum, ytterbium, and erbium) also increased BnALMT1 and BnALMT2 expression in the roots.
The function of the BnALMT1 and BnALMT2 proteins was investigated by heterologous expression in cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells and in Xenopus laevis oocytes.
Transgenic tobacco cells grew significantly better than control cells following an 18 h treatment with Al, indicating that the expression of BnALMT1 and BnALMT2 increased the resistance of these plant cells to Al stress. This report demonstrates that homologs of the TaALMT1 gene from wheat perform similar functions in other species.
