Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
11
Amino Acid Transport in Plants
and Transport of Neurotransmitters
in Animals: a Common Mechanism?
Tobias Müller, Wolfgang Koch, Daniel Wipf
Abstract
Amino acids (AA) are essential elements in animals and plants. In a genome-
wide analysis in yeasts, plants and animals five AA transporter superfamilies could be
identified. Transporters of one superfamily (ATF1, SLC38) which includes animal and plant
members correspond to proteins involved in neurotransmitter transport in animals. Their
close relation with plant genes suggests that a closely related transport mechanism could
be involved in AA transport in plants. This chapter summarizes current knowledge on
AA transport in animals and plants and the question of a possible common mechanism is
discussed.
11.1
Introduction
Amino acids (AA) are essential elements in animals and plants. They are in-
volved in several functions such as protein synthesis, hormone metabolism,
nerve transmission, cell growth, production of metabolic energy, nucleo-
base synthesis, nitrogen metabolism and urea biosynthesis. AA trans-
porters were characterized physiologically in animals as well as in plants.
In a genome-wide analysis in yeasts, plants and animals Wipf et al. (2002)
identified five AA transporter superfamilies. Two superfamilies (prefer-
entially Na
+
-coupled transport) were only found in animals, whereas the
other three superfamilies have members in both animal and plant genomes
(Wipf et al. 2002). It is worthwhile noting that transporters of one super-
family which includes animal (SLC32, 36 and 38, Sects. 11.2.5-11.2.7) and
plant (AA transporter family 1, ATF1, Sect. 11.3.2) members correspond
to proteins involved in neurotransmission in animals. The mechanisms
of neurotransmission are well described and the close relation with plant
genessuggeststhatacloselyrelatedtransportmechanismcouldbeinvolved
in AA transport in plants. This chapter summarizes current knowledge on
neurotransmitter transport in animals and AA transport in plants and the
question of a possible common mechanism is discussed.
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