Sub-cellular markers highlight intracellular dynamics of membrane proteins in response to abiotic treatments in rice

Abstract

Background: Cell biology approach using membrane protein markers tagged with fluorescent proteins highlights the dynamic behaviour of plant cell membranes, not only in the standard but also in changing environmental conditions. In the past, this strategy has been extensively developed in plant models such as Arabidopsis. Results: Here, we generated a set of transgenic lines expressing membrane protein markers to extend this approach to rice, one of the most cultivated crop in the world and an emerging plant model. Lines expressing individually eight membrane protein markers including five aquaporins (OsPIP1;1, OsPIP2;4, OsPIP2;5, OsTIP1;1, OsTIP2;2) and three endosomal trafficking proteins (OsRab5a, OsGAP1, OsSCAMP1) were obtained. Importantly, we challenged in roots the aquaporin-expressing transgenic lines upon salt and osmotic stress and uncovered a highly dynamic behaviour of cell membrane. Conclusion: We have uncovered the relocalization and dynamics of plasma membrane aquaporins upon salt and osmotic stresses in rice. Importantly, our data support a model where relocalization of OsPIPs is concomitant with their high cycling dynamics.