The PATROL1 function in roots contributes to the increase in shoot biomass.

Abstract

Main conclusion: PATOL1 contributes to increasing biomass not only by effective stomatal movement but also by root meristematic activity. PATROL1 (PROTON ATPase TRANSLOCATION CONTROL 1), a protein with a MUN domain, is involved in the intercellular trafficking of AHA1 H⁺-ATPase to the plasma membrane in guard cells. This allows for larger stomatal opening and more efficient photosynthesis, leading to increased biomass. Although PATROL1 is expressed not only in stomata but also in other tissues of the shoot and root, the role in other tissues than stomata has not been determined yet. Here, we investigated PATROL1 functions in roots using a loss-of-function mutant and an overexpressor. Cytological observations revealed that root meristematic size was significantly smaller in the mutant resulting in the short primary root. Grafting experiments showed that the shoot biomass of the mutant scion was increased when it grafted onto wild-type or overexpressor rootstocks. Conversely, grafting of the overexpressor scion shoot enhanced the growth of the mutant rootstock. The leaf temperatures of the grafted plants were consistent with those of their respective genotypes, indicating cell-autonomous behavior of stomatal movement and independent roles of PATROL1 in plant growth. Moreover, plasma membrane localization of AHA1 was not altered in root epidermal cells in the patrol1 mutant implying existence of a different mode of PATROL1 action in roots. Thus PATROL1 plays a role in root meristem and contributes to increase shoot biomass.