TaSULTR1;2 regulates sulfur and selenium uptake in wheat.

Sulfur (S) and selenium (Se) are essential nutrients for living organisms, playing a critical role in plant growth and development. The sulfate transporter (SULTR) serves as the primary carrier for sulfate uptake, transport and redistribution. However, functions of SULTRs in wheat remain completely unknown. Here, through genome-wide identification, phylogenetic analysis, gene expression pattern analysis, subcellular localization analysis and heterogenous expression in yeast and Arabidopsis, we functionally characterized wheat SULTRs. A total of 30 TaSULTR genes were identified, which can be categorized into four subfamilies in wheat. All TaSULTRs were predicted, and TaSULTR1;1, TaSULTR1;2, and TaSULTR1;3 were tested to be localized on the plasma membrane, except for the vacuolar membrane-localized TaSULTR2;1. TaSULTR1;1, TaSULTR1;2 and TaSULTR1;3, TaSULTR3;1, TaSULTR3;2 and TaSULTR3;5 and TaSULTR4;1 show high expression in roots, and TaSULTR1;1, TaSULTR1;3, TaSULTR2;1, TaSULTR3;2, TaSULTR3;3, and TaSULTR4;1 expression in shoots is upregulated by S deficiency, while TaSULTR2;1 and TaSULTR4;1 expression in root is induced by S deficiency. TaSULTR1;1, TaSULTR1;2 and TaSULTR1;3 showed sulfate and selenate transport activities when heterologously expressed in yeast. TaSULTR1;2 complemented the Arabidopsis mutant atsultr1;2 in sulfate and selenate uptake. Taken together, these results suggest that TaSULTR1;2 function in wheat S and Se uptake. The present study firstly and systematically investigated functions of SULTRs in wheat, providing basis and guidance for future wheat S and Se metabolism research and biofortification.