Molecular mechanisms of metal transport and sensing in higher eukaryotes : a plant transporter as a model for ZIPs – NUTRISENSE

Metals are both essential for the development of organisms and toxic when found at elevated concentrations. Recent work has demonstrated that the broad-spectrum IRT1 metal transporter from the model plant Arabidopsis not only acts as a transporter, but also as a metal sensor. IRT1 is the founding member of the family of ZIP transporters, with homologs being found from bacteria to humans, and thus serves as a model for the study of this family for which little is known. We therefore propose in the course of NUTRISENSE to 1) determine the mode of transport of metals via the IRT1 transporter, 2) obtain the first 3D structure of a eukaryotic ZIP transporter, and 3) use this information to modify the capabilities of transport and perception of metals by living organisms. For this, advanced approaches in biochemistry, structural biology and molecular biology will be implemented. The knowledge gained will not only benefit plant biologists but also medical scientists.