Roles of major facilitator superfamily transporters in phosphate response in Drosophila

The major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter Pho84 and the type III transporter Pho89 are responsible for metabolic effects of inorganic phosphate in yeast. While the Pho89 ortholog Pit1 was also shown to be involved in phosphate-activated MAPK in mammalian cells, it is currently unknown, whether orthologs of Pho84 have a role in phosphate-sensing in metazoan species. We show here that the activation of MAPK by phosphate observed in mammals is conserved in Drosophila cells, and used this assay to characterize the roles of putative phosphate transporters. Surprisingly, while we found that RNAi-mediated knockdown of the fly Pho89 ortholog dPit had little effect on the activation of MAPK in Drosophila S2R+ cells by phosphate, two Pho84/SLC17A1-9 MFS orthologs (MFS10 and MFS13) specifically inhibited this response. Further, using a Xenopus oocyte assay, we show that MSF13 mediates uptake of [(33)P]-orthophosphate in a sodium-dependent fashion. Consistent with a role in phosphate physiology, MSF13 is expressed highest in the Drosophila crop, midgut, Malpighian tubule, and hindgut. Altogether, our findings provide the first evidence that Pho84 orthologs mediate cellular effects of phosphate in metazoan cells. Finally, while phosphate is essential for Drosophila larval development, loss of MFS13 activity is compatible with viability indicating redundancy at the levels of the transporters.     

Phosphate transport and sensing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Cellular metabolism depends on the appropriate concentration of intracellular inorganic phosphate; however, little is known about how phosphate concentrations are sensed. The similarity of Pho84p, a high-affinity phosphate transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to the glucose sensors Snf3p and Rgt2p has led to the hypothesis that Pho84p is an inorganic phosphate sensor. Furthermore, pho84Delta strains have defects in phosphate signaling; they constitutively express PHO5, a phosphate starvation-inducible gene. We began these studies to determine the role of phosphate transporters in signaling phosphate starvation. Previous experiments demonstrated a defect in phosphate uptake in phosphate-starved pho84Delta cells; however, the pho84Delta strain expresses PHO5 constitutively when grown in phosphate-replete media. We determined that pho84Delta cells have a significant defect in phosphate uptake even when grown in high phosphate media. Overexpression of unrelated phosphate transporters or a glycerophosphoinositol transporter in the pho84Delta strain suppresses the PHO5 constitutive phenotype. These data suggest that PHO84 is not required for sensing phosphate. We further characterized putative phosphate transporters, identifying two new phosphate transporters, PHO90 and PHO91. A synthetic lethal phenotype was observed when five phosphate transporters were inactivated, and the contribution of each transporter to uptake in high phosphate conditions was determined. Finally, a PHO84-dependent compensation response was identified; the abundance of Pho84p at the plasma membrane increases in cells that are defective in other phosphate transporters.     

Pho91 Is a vacuolar phosphate transporter that regulates phosphate and polyphosphate metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Inorganic polyphosphate (poly P) is a biopolymer that occurs in all organisms and cells and in many cellular compartments. It is involved in numerous biological phenomena and functions in cellular processes in all organisms. However, even the most fundamental aspects of poly P metabolism are largely unknown. In yeast, large amounts of poly P accumulate in the vacuole during growth. It is neither known how this poly P pool is synthesized nor how it is remobilized from the vacuole to replenish the cytosolic phosphate pool. Here, we report a systematic analysis of the yeast phosphate transporters and their function in poly P metabolism. By using poly P content as a read-out, it was possible to define novel functions of the five phosphate transporters: Pho84, Pho87, Pho89, Pho90, and Pho91, in budding yeast. Most notably, it was found that the low-affinity transporter Pho91 limits poly P accumulation in a strain lacking PHO85. This phenotype was not caused by a regulatory effect on the PHO pathway, but can be attributed to the unexpected localization of Pho91 in the vacuolar membrane. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that Pho91 serves as a vacuolar phosphate transporter that exports phosphate from the vacuolar lumen to the cytosol.     

Uptake of Selenite by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Involves the High and Low Affinity Orthophosphate Transporters

Although the general cytotoxicity of selenite is well established, the mechanism by which this compound crosses cellular membranes is still unknown. Here, we show that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the transport system used opportunistically by selenite depends on the phosphate concentration in the growth medium. Both the high and low affinity phosphate transporters are involved in selenite uptake. When cells are grown at low P_i concentrations, the high affinity phosphate transporter Pho84p is the major contributor to selenite uptake. When phosphate is abundant, selenite is internalized through the low affinity P_i transporters (Pho87p, Pho90p, and Pho91p). Accordingly, inactivation of the high affinity phosphate transporter Pho84p results in increased resistance to selenite and reduced uptake in low P_i medium, whereas deletion of SPL2, a negative regulator of low affinity phosphate uptake, results in exacerbated sensitivity to selenite. Measurements of the kinetic parameters for selenite and phosphate uptake demonstrate that there is a competition between phosphate and selenite ions for both P_i transport systems. In addition, our results indicate that Pho84p is very selective for phosphate as compared with selenite, whereas the low affinity transporters discriminate less efficiently between the two ions. The properties of phosphate and selenite transport enable us to propose an explanation to the paradoxical increase of selenite toxicity when phosphate concentration in the growth medium is raised above 1 mm.     

The SPX domain of the yeast low‐affinity phosphate transporter Pho90 regulates transport activity

Yeast has two phosphate‐uptake systems that complement each other: the high‐affinity transporters (Pho84 and Pho89) are active under phosphate starvation, whereas Pho87 and Pho90 are low‐affinity transporters that function when phosphate is abundant. Here, we report new regulatory functions of the amino‐terminal SPX domain of Pho87 and Pho90. By studying truncated versions of Pho87 and Pho90, we show that the SPX domain limits the phosphate‐uptake velocity, suppresses phosphate efflux and affects the regulation of the phosphate signal transduction pathway. Furthermore, split‐ubiquitin assays and co‐immunoprecipitation suggest that the SPX domain of both Pho90 and Pho87 interacts physically with the regulatory protein Spl2. This work suggests that the SPX domain inhibits low‐affinity phosphate transport through a physical interaction with Spl2.     

Characterization of the Pho89 phosphate transporter by functional hyperexpression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Na(+)-coupled, high-affinity Pho89 plasma membrane phosphate transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has so far been difficult to study because of its low activity and special properties. In this study, we have used a pho84Deltapho87Deltapho90Deltapho91Delta quadruple deletion strain of S. cerevisiae devoid of all transporter genes specific for inorganic phosphate, except for PHO89, to functionally characterize Pho89 under conditions where its expression is hyperstimulated. Under these conditions, the Pho89 protein is strongly upregulated and is the sole high-capacity phosphate transporter sustaining cellular acquisition of inorganic phosphate. Even if Pho89 is synthesized in cells grown at pH 4.5-8.0, the transporter is functionally active under alkaline conditions only, with a K(m) value reflecting high-affinity properties of the transporter and with a transport rate about 100-fold higher than that of the protein in a wild-type strain. Even under these hyperexpressive conditions, Pho89 is unable to sense and signal extracellular phosphate levels. In cells grown at pH 8.0, Pho89-mediated phosphate uptake at alkaline pH is cation-dependent with a strong activation by Na(+) ions and sensitivity to carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. The contribution of H(+)- and Na(+)-coupled phosphate transport systems in wild-type cells grown at different pH values was quantified. The contribution of the Na(+)-coupled transport system to the total cellular phosphate uptake activity increases progressively with increasing pH.     

Mutational analysis of conserved glutamic acids of Pho89, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae high-affinity inorganic phosphate:Na+ symporter

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the high-affinity phosphate transport system comprises the Pho84 and Pho89 permeases. The Pho89 permease catalyzes import of inorganic phosphate in a symport manner by utilizing Na⁺ ions as co-solute. We have addressed the functional importance of two glutamic acid residues at positions 55 and 491. Both residues are highly conserved amongst members of the inorganic phosphate transporter (PiT) family, which might be an indication of functional importance. Moreover, both residues have been shown to be of critical importance in the hPit2 transporter. We have created site-directed mutations of both E55 and E491 to lysine and glutamine. We observed that in all four cases there is a dramatic impact on the transport activity, and thus it seems that they indeed are of functional importance. Following these observations, we addressed the membrane topology of this protein by using several prediction programs. TOPCONS predicts a 7-5 transmembrane segment organization, which is the most concise topology as compared to the hPiT2 transporter. By understanding the functionality of these residues, we are able to correlate the Pho89 topology to that of the hPiT2, and can now further analyze residues which might play a role in the transport activity.     

Physiological Regulation of the Derepressible Phosphate Transporter in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The extracellular phosphate concentration permissive for the expression of different amounts of the active high-affinity Pho84 phosphate transporter in the plasma membrane as well as the PHO84 messenger RNA levels in low-phosphate-grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells is very narrow and essential for a tight regulation of the transporter. The Pho84 transporter undergoes a rapid degradation once the supply of phosphate and/or carbon source is exhausted.     

Inorganic phosphate is sensed by specific phosphate carriers and acts in concert with glucose as a nutrient signal for activation of the protein kinase A pathway in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Yeast cells starved for inorganic phosphate on a glucose-containing medium arrest growth and enter the resting phase G0. We show that re-addition of phosphate rapidly affects well known protein kinase A targets: trehalase activation, trehalose mobilization, loss of heat resistance, repression of STRE-controlled genes and induction of ribosomal protein genes. Phosphate-induced activation of trehalase is independent of protein synthesis and of an increase in ATP. It is dependent on the presence of glucose, which can be detected independently by the G-protein coupled receptor Gpr1 and by the glucose-phosphorylation dependent system. Addition of phosphate does not trigger a cAMP signal. Despite this, lowering of protein kinase A activity by mutations in the TPK genes strongly reduces trehalase activation. Inactivation of phosphate transport by deletion of PHO84 abolishes phosphate signalling at standard concentrations, arguing against the existence of a transport-independent receptor. The non-metabolizable phosphate analogue arsenate also triggered signalling. Constitutive expression of the Pho84, Pho87, Pho89, Pho90 and Pho91 phosphate carriers indicated pronounced differences in their transport and signalling capacities in phosphate-starved cells. Pho90 and Pho91 sustained highest phosphate transport but did not sustain trehalase activation. Pho84 sustained both transport and rapid signalling, whereas Pho87 was poor in transport but positive for signalling. Pho89 displayed very low phosphate transport and was negative for signalling. Although the results confirmed that rapid signalling is independent of growth recovery, long-term mobilization of trehalose was much better correlated with growth recovery than with trehalase activation. These results demonstrate that phosphate acts as a nutrient signal for activation of the protein kinase A pathway in yeast in a glucose-dependent way and they indicate that the Pho84 and Pho87 carriers act as specific phosphate sensors for rapid phosphate signalling.     

Structure and function of the GTP binding protein Gtr1 and its role in phosphate transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Pho84 high-affinity phosphate permease is the primary phosphate transporter in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae under phosphate-limiting conditions. The soluble G protein, Gtr1, has previously been suggested to be involved in the derepressible Pho84 phosphate uptake function. This idea was based on a displayed deletion phenotype of Deltagtr1 similar to the Deltapho84 phenotype. As of yet, the mode of interaction has not been described. The consequences of a deletion of gtr1 on in vivo Pho84 expression, trafficking and activity, and extracellular phosphatase activity were analyzed in strains synthesizing either Pho84-green fluorescent protein or Pho84-myc chimeras. The studies revealed a delayed response in Pho84-mediated phosphate uptake and extracellular phosphatase activity under phosphate-limiting conditions. EPR spectroscopic studies verified that the N-terminal G binding domain (residues 1-185) harbors the nucleotide responsive elements. In contrast, the spectra obtained for the C-terminal part (residues 186-310) displayed no evidence of conformational changes upon GTP addition.     

Structural modeling of dual-affinity purified Pho84 phosphate transporter

The phosphate transporter Pho84 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is predicted to contain 12 transmembrane (TM) regions, divided into two partially duplicated parts of 6 TM segments. The three-dimensional (3D) organization of the Pho84 protein has not yet been determined. However, the 3D crystal structure of the Escherichia coli MFS glycerol-3-phosphate/phosphate antiporter, GlpT, and lactose transporter, LacY, has recently been determined. On the basis of extensive prediction and fold recognition analyses (at the MetaServer), GlpT was proposed as the best structural template on which the arrangement of TM segments of the Pho84 transporter was fit, using the comparative structural modeling program MODELLER. To initiate an evaluation of the appropriateness of the Pho84 model, we have performed two direct tests by targeting spin labels to putative TM segments 8 and 12. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was then applied on purified and spin labeled Pho84. The line shape from labels located at both positions is consistent with the structural environment predicted by the template-generated model, thus supporting the model.     

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae high affinity phosphate transporter encoded by PHO84 also functions in manganese homeostasis

In the bakers' yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, high affinity manganese uptake and intracellular distribution involve two members of the Nramp family of genes, SMF1 and SMF2. In a search for other genes involved in manganese homeostasis, PHO84 was identified. The PHO84 gene encodes a high affinity inorganic phosphate transporter, and we find that its disruption results in a manganese-resistant phenotype. Resistance to zinc, cobalt, and copper ions was also demonstrated for pho84Delta yeast. When challenged with high concentrations of metals, pho84Delta yeast have reduced metal ion accumulation, suggesting that resistance is due to reduced uptake of metal ions. Pho84p accounted for virtually all the manganese accumulated under metal surplus conditions, demonstrating that this transporter is the major source of excess manganese accumulation. The manganese taken in via Pho84p is indeed biologically active and can not only cause toxicity but can also be incorporated into manganese-requiring enzymes. Pho84p is essential for activating manganese enzymes in smf2Delta mutants that rely on low affinity manganese transport systems. A role for Pho84p in manganese accumulation was also identified in a standard laboratory growth medium when high affinity manganese uptake is active. Under these conditions, cells lacking both Pho84p and the high affinity Smf1p transporter accumulated low levels of manganese, although there was no major effect on activity of manganese-requiring enzymes. We conclude that Pho84p plays a role in manganese homeostasis predominantly under manganese surplus conditions and appears to be functioning as a low affinity metal transporter.     

Mutational analysis of putative phosphate- and proton-binding sites in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pho84 phosphate:H(+) transceptor and its effect on signalling to the PKA and PHO pathways

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Pho84 phosphate transporter acts as the main provider of phosphate to the cell using a proton symport mechanism, but also mediates rapid activation of the PKA (protein kinase A) pathway. These two features led to recognition of Pho84 as a transceptor. Although the physiological role of Pho84 has been studied in depth, the mechanisms underlying the transport and sensor functions are unclear. To obtain more insight into the structure-function relationships of Pho84, we have rationally designed and analysed site-directed mutants. Using a three-dimensional model of Pho84 created on the basis of the GlpT permease, complemented with multiple sequence alignments, we selected Arg(168) and Lys(492), and Asp(178), Asp(358) and Glu(473) as residues potentially involved in phosphate or proton binding respectively, during transport. We found that Asp(358) (helix 7) and Lys(492) (helix 11) are critical for the transport function, and might be part of the putative substrate-binding pocket of Pho84. Moreover, we show that alleles mutated in the putative proton-binding site Asp(358) are still capable of strongly activating PKA pathway targets, despite their severely reduced transport activity. This indicates that signalling does not require transport and suggests that mutagenesis of amino acid residues involved in binding of the co-transported ion may constitute a promising general approach to separate the transport and signalling functions in transceptors.     

A membrane protein based biosensor: use of a phosphate--H+ symporter membrane protein (Pho84) in the sensing of phosphate ions

A label free biosensor for direct detection of inorganic phosphate based on potential-step capacitance measurements has been developed. The high-affinity Pho84 plasma membrane phosphate/proton symporter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as a sensing element. Heterologously expressed and purified Pho84 protein was immobilized on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a capacitance electrode. Changes in capacitance were recorded upon exposure to phosphate compared to the control substance, phosphate analogue methylphosphonate. Hence, even without the explicit use of lipid membranes, the Pho84 membrane protein could retain its capacity of selective substrate binding, with a phosphate detection limit in the range of the apparent in vivo K(m). A linear increase in capacitance was monitored in the phosphate concentration range of 5-25 μM. The analytical response of the capacitive biosensor is in agreement with that the transporter undergoes significant conformational changes upon exposure to inorganic phosphate, while exposure to the analogue only causes minor responses.     

大豆磷、硫转运蛋白研究进展

磷、硫转运蛋白是大豆（Glycine max（L.）Merr.）体内磷、硫转运的重要载体,参与调节磷和硫酸盐的吸收与转运,对提高大豆的磷、硫利用效率至关重要。大豆磷转运蛋白可划分为Pht1、Pht2、Pht3、Pho1和Pho2 5大家族,目前对Pht1的研究最为深入。大豆14个Pht1家族可分为3个亚家族,他们对磷吸收和转运具有重要作用。大豆硫转运蛋白基因GmSULTR1;2b可在大豆根中特异性表达并被低硫胁迫诱导。本文基于大豆磷、硫的营养吸收、转运与利用过程中的相关性,对Pht1家族以及GmSULTR1;2b基因在大豆中的研究进展进行了综述,并对近年来大豆磷、硫转运蛋白的研究进展及未来的研究方向进行了展望。