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Sucrose partitioning between vascular bundles and storage parenchyma in the sugarcane stem: a potential role for the ShSUT1 sucrose transporter

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Abstract

A transporter with homology to the SUT/SUC family of plant sucrose transporters was isolated from a sugarcane (Saccharum hybrid) stem cDNA library. The gene, designated ShSUT1, encodes a protein of 517 amino acids, including 12 predicted membrane-spanning domains and a large central cytoplasmic loop. ShSUT1 was demonstrated to be a functional sucrose transporter by expression in yeast. The estimated Km for sucrose of the ShSUT1 transporter was 2 mM at pH 5.5. ShSUT1 was expressed predominantly in mature leaves of sugarcane that were exporting sucrose and in stem internodes that were actively accumulating sucrose. Immunolocalization with a ShSUT1-specific antiserum identified the protein in cells at the periphery of the vascular bundles in the stem. These cells became lignified and suberized as stem development proceeded, forming a barrier to apoplasmic solute movement. However, the movement of the tracer dye, carboxyfluorescein from phloem to storage parenchyma cells suggested that symplasmic connections are present. ShSUT1 may have a role in partitioning of sucrose between the vascular tissue and sites of storage in the parenchyma cells of sugarcane stem internodes.

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Abbreviations

CFDA :

Carboxyfluorescein diacetate

EST :

Expressed sequence tag

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Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to Dr. John Ward, University of Minnesota, and Prof. Wolf Frommer, Carnegie Institute, for hosting a visit by C.P.L.G. to develop skills in the functional testing of transporters as well as for the provision of yeast strains and vectors. We also wish to thank Dr. Rosanne Casu, CSIRO Plant Industry, for assistance with library preparation and comparison of sequences, and Dr. Robert Furbank, CSIRO Plant Industry, for providing antibodies to OsSUT1.

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  1. CSIRO Plant Industry, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, Qld. 4067, St. Lucia, Australia

    Anne L. Rae, Jai M. Perroux & Christopher P. L. Grof

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  1. Anne L. Rae
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  2. Jai M. Perroux
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  3. Christopher P. L. Grof
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Correspondence to Christopher P. L. Grof.

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Rae, A.L., Perroux, J.M. & Grof, C.P.L. Sucrose partitioning between vascular bundles and storage parenchyma in the sugarcane stem: a potential role for the ShSUT1 sucrose transporter. Planta 220, 817–825 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-004-1399-y

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