Calcium-permeable cation channels are involved in uranium uptake in Arabidopsis thaliana

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2022-02, Vol.424 (Pt B), p.127436-127436, Article 127436
• Main Authors: Sarthou, Manon C.M., Devime, Fabienne, Baggio, Célia, Figuet, Sylvie, Alban, Claude, Bourguignon, Jacques, Ravanel, Stéphane
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Arabidopsis - genetics; Arabidopsis - metabolism; Arabidopsis Proteins - genetics; Arabidopsis Proteins - metabolism; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Calcium - metabolism; Calcium Channels; Cations; Competition; Higher plants; Inhibition; Life Sciences; Mutants; Plant Roots - metabolism; Radionuclide; Root; Transport; Uranium
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127436

Uranium (U) is a non-essential and toxic element that is taken up by plants from the environment. The assimilation pathway of U is still unknown in plants. In this study, we provide several evidences that U is taken up by the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana through Ca2+-permeable cation channels. First, we showed that deprivation of Arabidopsis plants with calcium induces a 1.5-fold increase in the capacity of roots to accumulate U, suggesting that calcium deficiency promotes the radionuclide import pathway. Second, we showed that external calcium inhibits U accumulation in roots, suggesting a common route for the uptake of both cations. Third, we found that gadolinium, nifedipine and verapamil inhibit the absorption of U, suggesting that different types of Ca2+-permeable channels serve as a route for U uptake. Last, we showed that U bioaccumulation in Arabidopsis mutants deficient for the Ca2+-permeable channels MCA1 and ANN1 is decreased by 40%. This suggests that MCA1 and ANN1 contribute to the absorption of U in different zones and cell layers of the root. Together, our results describe for the first time the involvement of Ca2+-permeable cation channels in the cellular uptake of U. [Display omitted] •deprivation of Arabidopsis plants with calcium promotes the uranium import pathway.•external calcium competes with uranium for root uptake.•blockers of Ca2+-permeable channels inhibit the absorption of uranium by roots.•Arabidopsis mutants deficient in Ca2+-permeable channels accumulate less uranium.