Molecular and physiological characterization of members of the aluminium-activated malate transporter (ALMT) family with respect to their contribution to mineral nutrition in rice.

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Aluminium-activated malate transporter (ALMT) proteins have been shown to act as malate translocators across membranes. The role of specific ALMT family members in Aluminium (Al) tolerance and stomata function has been clarified, but the role of the remaining members of the ALMT family remains unknown. The aim of the project is to identify and characterize those members of the ALMT family having an impact on the mineral nutrition of rice. Such an impact might occur either through direct processes such as transport of mineral anions or by indirect processes that involve the transport of organic anions such as malate. To clarify the nature of the contribution of ALMT family members to rice mineral nutrition the project is divided into three main parts: (1) characterization of the mineral nutrition phenotype of existing transgenic rice lines generated in the host laboratory, (2) characterization of appropriate rice mutant lines from stock centers with respect to a mineral nutrition phenotype, and (3) ALMT localization studies through generation of promoter:GFP transgenic rice lines and transient protein:GFP fusions. In sum, this project concept represents a mix of characterizing several OsALMTs with respect to their contribution to mineral nutrition on the basis of existing germplasm and laying a basis for future work on the characterization of further OsALMT family members.