Comparative and Functional Genomics

Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 546930, 14 pages

doi:10.1155/2012/546930

Research Article

Correlation of Aquaporins and Transmembrane Solute Transporters Revealed by Genome-Wide Analysis in Developing Maize Leaf

Xun Yue,1,2 XiangYu Zhao,² YuKui Fei,¹ and Xiansheng Zhang²

¹College of Information Sciences and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Shandong, Taian 271018, China

²State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Shandong, Taian 271018, China

Received 17 April 2012; Revised 3 August 2012; Accepted 12 August 2012

Academic Editor: Soraya E. Gutierrez

Copyright © 2012 Xun Yue et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Aquaporins are multifunctional membrane channels that facilitate the transmembrane transport of water and solutes. When transmembrane mineral nutrient transporters exhibit the same expression patterns as aquaporins under diverse temporal and physiological conditions, there is a greater probability that they interact. In this study, genome-wide temporal profiling of transcripts analysis and coexpression network-based approaches are used to examine the significant specificity correlation of aquaporins and transmembrane solute transporters in developing maize leaf. The results indicate that specific maize aquaporins are related to specific transmembrane solute transporters. The analysis demonstrates a systems-level correlation between aquaporins, nutrient transporters, and the homeostasis of mineral nutrients in developing maize leaf. Our results provide a resource for further studies into the physiological function of these aquaporins.

1. Introduction

Water can take different paths on its way through the leaf, in addition to radial water flux, water movement across leaf cell membranes is important for water homeostasis, increasing cell volume, maintaining turgor during expansion, regulating the opening and closure of stomata, and controlling leaf movement [1]. Water movement through cell membranes is facilitated by water channels called aquaporins. Plant aquaporins exhibit multiplicity and diversity, and fall into seven subfamilies loosely based on intracellular locations and sequence similarities: the plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs), tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), NOD26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs), small, basic intrinsic proteins (SIPs), the GlpF-like intrinsic proteins (GIPs), hybrid intrinsic proteins (HIP), and the uncategorized X intrinsic proteins (XIP) [2].

Plant aquaporins are significant not only in plant-water relations, but also in physiological aspects such as nutrient transport and metal/metalloid toxicity [3, 4]. Flexas et al. provided evidence for the in vivo involvement of NtAQP1 in mesophyll CO₂ conductance, suggesting a significant role for PIPs in CO₂ diffusivity [5]. Ludewig and Dynowski have shown that AtTIP1;1 and AtTIP1;2 conduct H₂O₂ when heterologously expressed in yeast [6]. Azad et al. described TgTIP1;1- and TgTIP1;2-mediated H₂O₂ conductance by fluorescence assay in Tulipa gesneriana. Recent studies have investigated the selectivity mechanisms of aquaporins, nutrient transporters and homeostasis of mineral nutrients in most plant groups [7]. Hove and Bhave performed a comprehensive analysis of all plant aquaporins, which have been proven to transport ammonia, boron, carbon dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, silicon, and urea [8]. However, their studies focused on aquaporin structures at atomic resolution; there exists little information about the development and growth-dependent expression of aquaporins in leaves and how this relates to nutrient transporters and the homeostasis of mineral nutrients [9].

The use of genomics has resulted in many insights into the fully differentiated state of the maize (Zea mays) leaf [10–12]. Breeze et al. used microarray analysis to obtain a high-resolution time-course profile of gene expression during the development of a single leaf over a 3-week period to senescence [13]. Recently, RNA-Seq has emerged as a powerful new technology for transcriptome analysis [14]. RNA-Seq is particularly advantageous for low-abundance transcripts, for which microarrays are generally insensitive [15]. Matthieu et al. presented a detailed and quantitative analysis of expression in leaf zones, via functional characterization and determination of tissue-specific expression, for a selected group of candidate barley (Hordeum vulgare) aquaporins. These analyses enabled allocation of particular roles during leaf development to specific aquaporin isoforms and proposal of factors that influence their expression [16]. By Illumina sequencing of the maize leaf transcriptome [17], more than 120 million reads were mapped to define gene structure and alternative splicing events, and to quantify transcript abundance, along a leaf developmental gradient. Differential mRNA processing events for most maize genes were detected.

In this study, we use genome-wide analysis and coexpression network-based approaches to examine the wide range of selectivity profiles of aquaporins and associated transmembrane solute transporters in developing maize leaf. We identify specific maize aquaporins related to specific transmembrane solute transporters. Our results provide a resource for further studies into the physiological function of these aquaporins.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials and Data

Aimed at examining the transcriptional network associated with the development of maize leaf, Pinghua et al. defined gene structure, alternative splicing events, and quantified transcript abundance along a leaf developmental gradient [17]. We used their methods as a template for gene expression analysis. Tissue from leaf three at nine days after planting, three hours into the L period, was collected from four segments: basal (1 cm above the leaf three ligule), transitional (1 cm below the leaf two ligule), maturing (4 cm above the leaf two ligule), and mature (1 cm below the leaf three tip). All data were sequenced and analyzed using an Illumina Genome Analyser 2. RNA-Seq data have been deposited in the NCBI short read archive under accession number SRA012297.

2.2. Method and Computational Pipeline for Genome-Wide Analysis

In this study, our research concentrates on mining the systems-level correlation of aquaporins and associated transmembrane nutrient solute transporters along a leaf developmental gradient. We know that aquaporins and transmembrane mineral nutrient transporters are all under the control of transmembrane transport regulatory mechanisms (GO:0055085). Thus, when transmembrane mineral transporters exhibit the same expression patterns as aquaporins under four segments: basal, transitional, maturing, and mature, there is a greater probability that they interact [18–22]. Using genome-wide analysis and coexpression network-based approaches, systems-level correlation of maize aquaporins, nutrient transporters, and homeostasis of mineral nutrients can be examined. The computational pipeline for genome-wide analysis is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Schematic of computational pipeline for genome-wide analysis and coexpression network-based approaches.

First, we identified characteristic maize aquaporin family and transmembrane transporters under the control of transmembrane transport regulatory mechanisms (GO:0055085) from the MaizeGDB and Affymetrix GeneChip Maize Genome Array (AFF-900614). Next, detailed temporal and spatial gene expression profiles for aquaporins and nutrient transporters along the developing maize leaf were obtained though RNA-Seq data. Then, high similarity coregulated gene expression patterns were studied and mined by coexpression network-based approaches. Finally, the AmiGO Gene Ontology Database and iHOP (Information  Hyperlinked  over Proteins) were examined to characterize correlation of ZmTIPs, ZmPIPs, and ZmNIPs with associated transmembrane solute transport.

2.3. Rank-Based Network Construction Method

A range of statistical and computational methodologies have been used to extract novel meaning from large biological datasets. Common approaches include both differential expression across conditions and the calculation of correlations between gene expression levels across a large number of samples [18, 23]. The coexpression network-based approach, termed coexpression analysis, considers all samples together and establishes connections between genes based on all available information. Based on the methods from Ruan et al. [24], our computational methodology uses a simple but robust rank-based network construction method. In this experiment, the leaf transcriptome mRNA was isolated from each of the four developmental zones, basal (1 cm above the leaf three ligule), transitional, (1 cm below the leaf two ligule), maturing (4 cm above the leaf two ligule), and mature (1 cm below the leaf three tip). Each gene is associated with a set of expression values, called gene expression profile. We first calculate the Pearson’s correlation coefficient between every pair of genes. We then define a correlation-based similarity score to measure the average coexpression between a gene and other members. For each gene, we rank all other genes by their similarity. We calculate the scores for all the genes. The gene rank of each gene is the position of the score after sorting the list of scores in descending order. We then select these genes to the genes that are most similar to it. For two nodes to be considered as coexpressed, their expression profiles need to satisfy the following (1) Pearson’s correlation coefficient is higher than min_cc (2) One gene is within the max_rank most correlated gene of the other. Cytoscape is used for network visualization and analysis [25]. After we generated the coexpression network, the statistics of the networks (such as, average path lengths, diameters, clustering coefficients, node degree distributions) should be analyzed. But, in this study, rank-based network construction method are used mainly to demonstrate a systems-level correlation between aquaporins, nutrient transporters, and the homeostasis of mineral nutrients in developing maize leaf. So, the topological properties of coexpression network will be provided for further studies.

On the other hand, the method has two parameters to be defined in order to run the algorithm: (1) min_cc: threshold on Pearson’s correlation coefficient, (2) max_rank: threshold on the ranks of the correlation coefficient values. In particular, genes in one functional pathway may be strongly mutually coexpressed, while genes in another functional pathway may be only weakly coexpressed. After some preliminary tests with the algorithm, we choose a stringent threshold on Pearson’s correlation coefficient (min_cc = 0.95), it means we attempt to connect the strongly mutually coexpressed genes in one functional pathway, we choose a larger threshold on the ranks of the correlation coeffient values (max_rank = 50), it means we attempt to choose the max subset of the most correlated genes. This rank-based network construction method has successfully elucidated gene function in Arabidopsis thaliana from genome-wide coexpression networks, leading to the identification of genes essential in the life cycle of Arabidopsis [21] and regulation of seed germination [20].

3. Results

3.1. Identification of Candidate Aquaporins and Transmembrane Solute Transporters in Maize

Genome projects have identified 33 aquaporins in maize: 13 PIPs split into 6 PIP1s and 7 PIP2s, 11 TIPs, 6 NIPs, and 3 SIPs. No GIPs, HIPs, or XIPs have been found in maize (see supplemental file 2 in Supplementary Material available online at doi:10.1155/2012/546930). Existing maize aquaporin families were retrieved from the MaizeGDB website. Phylogenetic analysis of maize aquaporins, together with sequences from Arabidopsis and rice, has been performed by Katsuhara et al. [26]. In addition to the aquaporin families, 812 maize transmembrane transport genes (GO:0055085) were identified from the MaizeGDB and Affymetrix GeneChip Maize Genome Array (see supplemental file 1).

In the RNA-Seq dataset, which quantified transcript abundance along a leaf developmental gradient, 24 mRNA maize isoforms were detected, representing three maize aquaporin subfamilies: 11 plasma membrane (PIP), 8 tonoplast (TIP), and 5 NOD26-like (NIP). The others, ZmPIP1;2, ZmPIP2;7, ZmNIP5;1, ZmTIP1;1, ZmTIP4;1, ZmTIP4;3, ZmSIP1;1, ZmSIP1;2, and ZmSIP2;1, showed hardly any or no expression. Surprisingly, ZmPIP1;3 and ZmPIP1;4 were not discernible. Of the maize transmembrane transporters (GO:0055085), only 481 were examined for channel activity by heterologous expression along the leaf developmental gradient (see supplemental file 3).

3.2. Expression Patterns of Maize Aquaporins along a Leaf Developmental Gradient

As shown in Table 1, the expression profiles of aquaporins along a leaf developmental gradient were mostly statistically significant, and expression differed by orders of magnitude.

Table 1: Dynamic expression patterns of aquaporins in four developmental maize leaf zones.

Aquaporins family
kgeneID
Accession no.
uid
NCBI-GeneID
Expression patterns of maize aquaporins

along a leaf developmental gradient (RPKM⁺)

Basal
Transitional
Maturing
Mature

ZmNIP1;1
GRMZM2G041980
AAK26750
5
zma:542741
284.4251
55.78293
1.32962
0.604141

ZmNIP2;1
GRMZM2G028325
AAK26751
5
zma:542643
0.738541
3.736517
108.7187
151.1207

ZmNIP2;2
GRMZM2G137108
AAK26752
6
zma:541884
12.83963
65.19496
110.8307
191.0704

ZmNIP2;3
GRMZM2G081239
AAK26849
9
zma:542497
1.390615
38.11073
19.33411
28.52731

ZmNIP3;1
GRMZM2G176209
AAK26753
1
zma:541885
10.89309
0.622895
0.379714
0.028008

ZmPIP1;1
GRMZM2G174807
Q41870
2
zma:542434
1373.24
624.1622
551.3903
696.9544

ZmPIP1;3
GRMZM2G392975
AAK26754
4
zma:541886
320.3079
208.3987
120.4039
143.314

ZmPIP1;4
GRMZM2G392975
AAK26754
4
zma:541886
320.3079
208.3987
120.4039
143.314

ZmPIP1;5
GRMZM2G081843
AAK26756
4
zma:542014
6.403676
129.4154
92.4027
203.5336

ZmPIP1;6
GRMZM2G136032
AAK26757
9
zma:541887
8.864766
2.943776
5.884045
10.33727

ZmPIP2;1
GRMZM2G014914
AAK26758
7
zma:541888
863.1962
222.715
133.0945
270.8236

ZmPIP2;2
GRMZM2G092125
AAK26759
2
zma:542644
365.4722
72.14911
103.3769
246.2429

ZmPIP2;3
GRMZM2G081192
AAK26760
4
zma:541889
99.41061
97.24697
32.23512
64.3703

ZmPIP2;4
GRMZM2G154628
AAK26761
5
zma:541890
159.1274
254.0077
62.26854
66.46106

ZmPIP2;5
GRMZM2G178693
AAD28761
2
zma:542619
34.77607
26.43263
61.35096
248.551

ZmPIP2;6
GRMZM2G047368
AAK26762
7
zma:541891
28.2033
18.13528
53.17567
199.4343

ZmTIP1;2
GRMZM2G168439
AAK26767
8
zma:541893
124.288
11.90748
13.80556
12.93096

ZmTIP2;1
GRMZM2G027098
AAK26768
4
zma:541894
84.54834
136.8424
174.5521
380.7838

ZmTIP2;2
GRMZM2G056908
AAK26769
5
zma:541895
4.553362
5.91993
7.847642
21.60773

ZmTIP2;3
GRMZM2G125023
AAK26770
2
zma:541687
16.41429
1.501289
0.66028
0.912982

ZmTIP3;1
GRMZM2G305446
AAK26771
5
zma:541896
1.72853
0.06663
0*
0*

ZmTIP3;2
GRMZM2G103983
AAK26848
1
zma:541912
15.56036
0.91543
0.686821
1.139873

ZmTIP4;2
GRMZM2G108273
AAK26773
8
zma:541898
0.028412
0.11653
8.459535
13.80056

ZmTIP4;4
GRMZM2G093090
AAK26775
3
zma:542647
10.02319
0.695458
0.034258
0*

Basal (1 cm above the leaf three ligule), transitional (1 cm below the leaf two ligule).

Maturing (4 cm above the leaf two ligule), mature (1 cm below the leaf three tip).

+RPKM: Reads per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads.

*Those genes showed hardly any or no expression in leaf tissue.

After examining the dynamic expression patterns of aquaporins in four maize leaf developmental zones, we were interested in studying the specifically expressed genes in each leaf developmental zone. A gene that was expressed at low levels or not detected in the stage was defined as a specifically expressed gene in this stage. Eight genes, ZmTIP4;3(GRMZM2G146627), ZmTIP4;1(GRMZM2G103945), ZmTIP1;1(AAC09245), ZmSIP1;1(GRMZM2G113470), ZmSIP1;2(GRMZM2G060922), ZmSIP2;1(GRMZM2G175038), ZmPIP2;7(AAK26763, zma:542645), ZmNIP5-1(GRMZM2G000471), showed hardly any or no expression in four developmental maize leaf zones. ZmTIP4;4, ZmTIP3;2, ZmNIP1;1, and ZmNIP3;1 were specifically expressed in the mature leaf zone, while ZmNIP2;1 and ZmTIP4;2 were specifically expressed in the leaf basal.

Based on the gene expression profiles of the 24 maize aquaporins along a leaf developmental gradient, a coexpression network-based approach was used to construct coexpression networks. Cytoscape was used to create Figure 2. This approach partitioned the network into two modules, indicating a strong modular structure. We then examined the temporal gene expression profiles of the two modules. As shown in Figure 2, the modules identified by our method contained significant transcripts that showed the most dramatic changes. One modules includes ZmPIP2;1(GRMZM2G014914), ZmNIP3;1(GRMZM2G176209), ZmPIP1;6(GRMZM2G136032), ZmPIP2;4(GRMZM2G154628), ZmPIP1;3/ZmPIP1;4(GRMZM2G392975), ZmTIP3;2(GRMZM2G103983), ZmPIP2;3(GRMZM2G081192), ZmPIP1;1(GRMZM2G174807), ZmPIP2;2(GRMZM2G092125), ZmNIP1;1(GRMZM2G041980), ZmTIP2;3(GRMZM2G125023), ZmTIP1;2(GRMZM2G168439), ZmTIP3;1(GRMZM2G305446), ZmTIP4;4(GRMZM2G093090), 14 genes which showed the highest expression in the basal and transitional zone showed much lower or hardly detectable expression in the maturing and mature zone. While the opposite applied to another modules which are ZmPIP1;5 (GRMZM2G081843), ZmPIP2;5(GRMZM2G178693), ZmNIP2;3(GRMZM2G081239), ZmNIP2;1(GRMZM2G028325), ZmTIP4;2(GRMZM2G108273), ZmTIP2;1(GRMZM2G027098), ZmTIP2;2(GRMZM2G056908), ZmPIP2;6(GRMZM2G047368), ZmNIP2;2(GRMZM2G137108), those genes which showed the highest expression in maturing and mature leaf tissue. These results do not seem surprising considering that there are two groups of aquaporins, one positively and the other negatively regulated during different stages of leaf development.

Figure 2: Expression patterns of maize aquaporins along a leaf developmental gradient. (a) The transcriptional network of maize aquaporin families identified in leaf developmental gradient. (b) Two expression profiles of aquaporins along a leaf developmental gradient, one modules showed the highest expression in the basal and transitional zone showed much lower or hardly detectable expression in the maturing and mature zone. another modules showed the highest expression in maturing and mature leaf tissue, and (c) genes in two modules.

By comparing the expression profiles of ZmNIPs (ZmNIP1;1, ZmNIP2;1, ZmNIP2;2, ZmNIP2;3, ZmNIP3;1) in four maize leaf developmental zones (basal, transitional, maturing, mature), it was evident that the ZmNIP family members are expressed in distinct patterns during leaf development (Table 1). We noticed that ZmNIP2;1, ZmNIP2;2, and ZmNIP2;3 were expressed at low levels at the base of the leaf and gradually increased to reach their highest levels at the leaf tip. In contrast, ZmNIP1;1 and ZmNIP3;1 were expressed at their highest levels at the base of the leaf and decreased significantly to low levels at the leaf tip. The most notable gene, which was upregulated during the whole course of the experiment, was ZmNIP2;2.

Interestingly, with the exception of ZmPIP2;7, which was not expressed, ZmPIP1s and ZmPIP2s showed the highest expression in the four leaf base zones. However, these genes showed significant changes in expression levels in the four stages. ZmPIP1;1, ZmPIP1;3, ZmPIP1;4, ZmPIP2;1, ZmPIP2;2, ZmPIP2;3, and ZmPIP2;4 showed their highest expression in the base, with much lower expression in the mature zone. The opposite applied to ZmPIP1;5, ZmPIP1;6, ZmPIP2;5, and ZmPIP2;6, which showed their highest expression in the mature region. Expression in the transitional and maturing zones was at an intermediate level. ZmPIP1;5 showed the most dramatic change in relative expression (a more than 30-fold increase).

Compared with the expression profiles of the ZmNIPs and ZmPIPs, with the exception of ZmTIP1;1, which was not expressed, the ZmTIPs showed distinct patterns during leaf development. We noticed that ZmTIP3;1 showed very low expression or expression near the limit of detection along the leaf developmental gradient. ZmTIP2;3 and ZmTIP4;4 were expressed at low levels in the mature leaf zone, and ZmTIP4;2 showed expression near the limit of detection at the leaf base. ZmTIP1;2, ZmTIP2;1, ZmTIP2;2, and ZmTIP3;2 showed the most dramatic changes in relative expression (more than 10-fold increases).

3.3. ZmTIPs and Associated Transmembrane Solute Transport

While TIPs are predominantly located in the tonoplast, some ZmTIPs are found in specialized organelles such as protein storage vacuoles, lytic vacuoles and small vacuoles, [27]. As shown in Figure 3, we observed significant relationships between ZmTIP genes and neutral solute transporters that exhibited the same expression patterns in the developing leaf. These included nitrate, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), sulfate, auxin, sucrose, mercury, drug, sugar, chloride, peptide and oligopeptide transmembrane transporters, and metal ion transporters such as iron, potassium, copper, and cobalt.

Figure 3: Correlation of maize aquaporins and associated nutrient solute transporters in developing maize leaf. The detailed analysis can be found in Sections 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5.

Nitrate

Chopin et al. showed that the ATNRT2.7 nitrate transporter protein is localized to the vacuolar membrane and plays a specific role in nitrate accumulation in the seed [28]. Our results showed that NRT2.5 (nitrate transporter 2.5, GRMZM2G455124) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3, ZmTIP3;2, and ZmTIP4;4.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)

Evidence for the H₂O₂ permeability of aquaporins comes from the work of [29] and [7]. Dynowski et al. have shown that the plant TIPs AtTIP1;1 and AtTIP1;2 conduct H₂O₂ when heterologously expressed in yeast [29]. Azad et al. described TgTIP1;1- and TgTIP1;2-mediated H₂O₂ conductance by fluorescence assay in Tulipa gesneriana [7]. Our results showed that the C2C2(Zn)-GATA transcription factor family (AC202864.3_FG002, EntrezGene:100279625) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP1;2, and the bZIP transcription factor family (GRMZM2G445575, EntrezGene:100192007) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;1. These may be involved in sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factor activity (GO:0003700) that catalyzes the reaction: vanillyl alcohol + O₂ = vanillin + hydrogen peroxide in developing leaves. Our results also showed that mitochondrial SBP40 (GRMZM2G102314) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3. This protein may be involved in single-stranded DNA binding (GO:0003697) that catalyzes the reaction: methanol + O₂ = formaldehyde + H₂O₂ in developing leaves.

Sulfate

Transmembrane sulfate transport is performed by a family of high-affinity sulfate transporters that includes SULTR1;1, SULTR1;3, SULTR1;2, SULTR3;1, SULTR3;2, SULTR3;4, SULTR3;5, SULTR4;1, and SULTR4;2. Kataoka et al. described how SULTR3;5 facilitates the root-to-shoot transport of sulfate through the vasculature [30]. Yoshimoto et al. provided evidence that the Sultr1;3 transporter plays an important role in the loading of sulfate into the sieve tube, initiating the source-to-sink translocation of sulfur nutrients in Arabidopsis [31]. Our results showed that SULTR2;1 (sulfate transporter2;1, GRMZM2G042171) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;2, and SULTR3;4 (sulfate transporter 3;4, GRMZM2G444801) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP3;2. These genes may be involved in transmembrane sulfate transport in the developing leaf.

Auxin

ABCB19 of A. thaliana (ATPase multidrug resistance protein) belongs to the multidrug resistance-like (MDR) or B group of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily, and mediates polar auxin transport in stems and roots. Lewis et al. suggested that cotyledon expansion during the establishment of photoautotrophic growth depends on ABCB19-mediated auxin import [32]. Our results showed that ABCB19 (GRMZM2G085236) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3 and ZmTIP3;2, and ABCB1 (GRMZM2G315375, EntrezGene:1003840) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3. These ABC transporters may be involved in multidrug transport and resistance systems in the developing leaf. We also observed a significant relationship between ZmTIP2;1 and an auxin efflux carrier family protein (GRMZM2G112598).

Sucrose

SUT4 (sucrose transporter 4, GRMZM2G307561, EntrezGene:100240688) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;1 and may be involved in sucrose transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0008515) in developing leaves.

Mercury

Vacuolar membranes from different species have been commonly characterized by a high, mercury-sensitive osmotic water permeability [33]. TIPs, which function as mercury-sensitive channels and can account for up to 40% of total intrinsic TP protein content [34], supposedly play an important role in this vacuolar function. Our results showed that a heavy-metal-associated domain-containing protein (GRMZM2G096008) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;1 and may be involved in mercury ion transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0015097) in the developing leaf.

We also observed significant relationships between ZmTIP2;1 and a MATE efflux family protein (GRMZM2G170128), and ZmTIP2;3 and another MATE efflux family protein (GRMZM2G423884). These may be involved in transmembrane drug transport (GO:0015238). ATPLT5 (polyol transporter 5, GRMZM2G481021) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP3;2 and may be involved in sugar and substrate-specific transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0022891). GPT2 glucose-6-phosphate transmembrane transporter (GRMZM2G009223, EntrezGene:100281048) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;1 and ZmTIP2;2. Lipoprotein (AC234165.1_FG002, EntrezGene:100280698) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;2. Uncharacterized GPI-anchored protein (GRMZM2G041645) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3 and may be involved in voltage-gated chloride channel activity (GO:0005247) in developing leaves. APP (poly adp-ribose polymerase, GRMZM2G099231;) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3 and may be involved in nucleic acid binding (GO:0003676) that catalyzes the reaction: xanthine + NAD⁺ + H₂O = urate + NADH + H⁺ in the developing leaf. Peptide transporter PTR2-B, a proton-dependent oligopeptide transport (POT) family protein (GRMZM2G316889, EntrezGene:100381733) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3 and may be involved in oligopeptide transport (GO:0006857) during leaf development.

Iron

Photosynthesis, heme biosynthesis, and Fe-S cluster assembly all take place in the chloroplast, and all require iron. Reduction of iron via a membrane-bound Fe(III) chelate reductase is required before it is transported across membranes. Jeong and Cohu reported that the Arabidopsis ferric reductase oxidase (FRO) family, FRO7, localizes to the chloroplast. Their results provided molecular evidence that FRO7 plays a role in chloroplast iron acquisition and is required for efficient photosynthesis in young seedlings and survival under iron-limiting conditions [35]. Wu et al. showed that the six AtFROs encode iron chelate reductases that function in iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis. AtFRO2 displayed the highest iron reduction activity among the AtFROs investigated; further demonstrating that AtFRO2 is a major iron reductase gene in Arabidopsis. AtFRO2 and AtFRO3 were mainly expressed in the roots, AtFRO5 and AtFRO6 in shoots and flowers, AtFRO7 in cotyledons and trichomes, and the transcription of AtFRO8 was specific to leaf veins [36]. Our results showed that ferric reductase-like transmembrane component, FRO7 (GRMZM2G068557, EntrezGene:100281526;) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP4;2.

Other significant relationships we observed are as follows: a flavin-containing monooxygenase family protein/FMO family protein (GRMZM2G423886, EntrezGene:100272315), a sarcosine oxidase family protein (GRMZM2G428628), and an oxidoreductase family protein (GRMZM2G174773) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP4;4 and ZmTIP2;3 and may be involved in potassium ion transport (GO:0006813). sks17 (SKU5 Similar 17, GRMZM2G043301) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3 and ZmTIP4;4 and may be involved in copper ion binding (GO:0005507). BAG6 (bcl-2-associated athanogene 6, GRMZM2G063162) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;1 and may be involved in cellular cobalt ion homeostasis (GO:0006877) in the developing leaf.

3.4. ZmPIPs and Associated Transmembrane Solute Transport

PIPs are localized to the plasma membrane and facilitate the movement of water into and out of cells. Flexas et al. provided evidence for the in vivo involvement of NtAQP1 in mesophyll CO₂ conductance, suggesting a significant role for PIPs in CO₂ diffusivity [5]. Fitzpatrick and Reid established that at least 50% of boron uptake could be facilitated by two barley aquaglyceroporins, HvPIP1;3, and HvPIP1;4 [37]. In fact, most PIP2s show substantial water channel activity, whereas PIP1s either facilitate the movement of neutral solutes or increase water channel activity when coexpressed with PIP2s [3]. We observed significant relationships between ZmPIP genes and the transport of transmembrane solutes, including urate, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), phosphate, sulfate, sugars, peptides, fatty acids, amino acids, and the metal ions potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and mercury. These results are shown in Figure 3.

Urate

Gaspar et al. showed that ZmPIP1-5b has a low aquaporin activity when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. However, a special feature of ZmPIP1-5, when compared with other plant PIPs, is its capacity to transport urea [38]. Interestingly, our results show that glycine-rich RNA-binding protein 2 (GRMZM2G080603, EntrezGene:542725) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;1 and may be involved in catalysis of the reaction: xanthine + NAD⁺ + H₂O = urate + NADH + H⁺. These showed their highest expression in the four leaf base zones. Our results also showed that ATP-dependent RNA helicase SUV3 (GRMZM2G078275) and helicase domain-containing protein (GRMZM2G373175) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;4. These may also be involved in catalysis of the reaction: xanthine + NAD⁺ + H₂O = urate + NADH + H⁺ in developing leaves. In addition, LOS4 (low expression of osmotically responsive genes 4, GRMZM2G000823) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;1 and ZmPIP2;1, and RNA recognition motif (RRM)-containing protein (GRMZM2G071589, EntrezGene:100383130) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;2.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)

TSA: Zea mays contig14775 mRNA sequence (UniGene:Zm.86314) and TSA: Zea mays contig01669 mRNA sequence (UniGene:Zm.42122) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;2. These may be involved in catalysis of the reaction: vanillyl alcohol + O₂ = vanillin + hydrogen peroxide in the developing leaf.

Phosphate

Phosphate transporter (GRMZM2G015401) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;1, MAG1 (MAIGO 1, GRMZM2G109315, EntrezGene:100192764) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;1, and GRMZM2G152827 (EntrezGene:541617) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;1. These genes may be involved in mitochondrial phosphate transport in developing leaves.

Sulfate

In contrast to ZmNIPs, our results show that SULTR3;4 (sulfate transporter 3;4, GRMZM2G444801, EntrezGene:100281787) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;1 and ZmPIP2;1 and may be involved in sulfate transmembrane transport in the developing leaf.

Sugar

STP (sugar transporter) is a transmembrane carbohydrate transporter. Stadler et al. described the first localization of a guard cell-specific Arabidopsis sugar transporter involved in carbon acquisition in these symplastically-isolated cells [39]. The timing of the transient increase in AtSTP1 expression correlated with guard cell-specific accumulation of sucrose. Sherson et al. investigated the in vivo properties and function of the high-affinity monosaccharide/proton symporter AtSTP1 in Arabidopsis, showing that AtSTP1 is the major monosaccharide transporter in Arabidopsis seedlings and suggesting that active transport by AtSTP1 plays a major role at very high concentrations of exogenous sugar [40]. Our results showed that STP1 (sugar transporter 1, GRMZM2G374812) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;5 and may be involved in transmembrane carbohydrate transport. In addition, Wormit et al. showed that monosaccharide transporter1 (TMT1) is involved in vacuolar monosaccharide transport and plays a major role during stress responses [41]. Our results showed that TMT2 (tonoplast monosaccharide transporter2, GRMZM2G083173, EntrezGene:100285573) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;3/ZmPIP1;4 and may be involved in substrate-specific transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0022891) in developing leaves.

Peptide

In contrast to ZmNIPs, our results also showed that OPT4 (oligopeptide transporter 4, GRMZM2G112456) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;4 and may also be involved in transmembrane transport of peptides and oligopeptides. Another gene, AtYSL2 is involved in metal-chelate transport. The investigations of Schaaf et al. support an involvement of AtYSL2 in Fe and Zn homeostasis [42]. Our results showed that YSL2 (yellow stripe like 2, GRMZM2G026391, EntrezGene:100273385) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;6 and may be involved in the transport of peptides and oligopeptides during leaf development.

Fatty Acid

Signal recognition particle 54 kDa protein 3/SRP54 (SRP-54C, GRMZM2G038953) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;3 and may enable the directed movement of short-chain fatty acids (less than 10 carbons) into, out of, or within cells. We also observed a significant relationship between the ZmPIP1;1 gene and a transmembrane drug transporter (GRMZM2G079127, EntrezGene:100273132), and ZmPIP1;3/ZmPIP1;4 and an auxin efflux carrier family protein (GRMZM2G050089) and a cationic amino acid transporter (GRMZM2G078292).

Mercury

Heavy-metal-associated domain-containing proteins (GRMZM2G155525, EntrezGene:100282516) and (GRMZM2G087101) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;1 and may be involved in mercury ion transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0015097) in the developing leaf.

Potassium

Our results showed that the flavin-containing monooxygenase family protein/FMO family protein (GRMZM2G423886, EntrezGene:100272315) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;1, and 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GRMZM2G106250, EntrezGene:100191282) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;3/ZmPIP1;4. These may be involved in potassium ion transport (GO:0006813) in developing leaves.

Magnesium

Magnesium transporter CorA-like family protein (MRS2-2, GRMZM2G159295) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;5 and may be involved in metal ion transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0046873) in the developing leaf.

Sodium Ion

NHX2 (sodium hydrogen exchanger 2, GRMZM2G311165) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP1;1, ZmPIP2;1, ZmTIP2;3, ZmTIP3;1 and ZmTIP4;4 and may be involved in sodium ion transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0015385) during leaf development. Important evidence comes from Yokoi et al. [43], who indicated that AtNHX2 has a major function in vacuolar compartmentalization of Na⁺.

Zinc Ion

MPPalpha (mitochondrial processing peptidase alpha subunit, GRMZM2G005036, EntrezGene:100280280) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmPIP2;1 and may be involved in catalytic/metal ion binding/metalloendopeptidase/zinc ion binding in developing leaves.

3.5. ZmNIPs and Associated Transmembrane Solute Transport

NIPs are located in intracellular membranes. ZmNIPs usually display low water permeability, in fact, these aquaporins are considered plant aquaglyceroporins [27]. We observed significant relationships between ZmNIP genes and the transport of solutes, including glycerol, phosphate, chloride (Cl⁻), drugs, auxin, malic acid, peptides, sugars, mercury, and metal ions such as potassium, copper, zinc, cobalt, and manganese, as shown in Figure 3.

Glycerol

A peroxidase 64 (GRMZM2G160327, EntrezGene:100281197) and a glycerol-3-phosphate transporter (GRMZM2G078757) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1. Peroxidase 64 is involved in the regulation of heme binding that is dependent on intracellular accumulation of glycerol (GO:0020037). Our analysis indicate that only ZmNIP1;1 exhibited the same expression patterns as the glycerol-3-phosphate transporter, indicating that ZmNIP1;1 may be involved in transmembrane transport of glycerol.

Phosphorus

Phosphate mobilization into the plant is a complex process requiring numerous transporters for absorption and translocation of this major nutrient. In the A. thaliana genome, nine closely related high-affinity phosphate transporters have been identified but their specific roles remain unclear. Shin et al. showed that eight members of the Arabidopsis Pht1 phosphate transporter family are expressed in roots, with Pht1;1 and Pht1;4 displaying the highest transcript levels [44]. Misson et al. demonstrated that the Arabidopsis Pht1;4 high-affinity phosphate transporter was mainly expressed in roots growing on inorganic phosphate limiting medium [45], primarily in the epidermis. In addition, Misson et al. suggested a role for Pht1;4 in phosphate absorption and translocation from the growth medium to the different parts of the plant. Our research showed that phosphate transporters PHT4;2 (GRMZM2G102521) and PHT4;6 (GRMZM2G048363, EntrezGene:100282593) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1. At the same time, PHT5 (GRMZM2G045473, EntrezGene:100194162) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;1. These genes may be involved in transmembrane inorganic phosphate transport in the developing leaf. Our results also showed that DEG15;endopeptidase (GRMZM2G162699, EntrezGene:100384043) and GH9A1 (hydrolyzing O-glycosyl compounds 9A1, GRMZM2G003379) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP3:1 and may be involved in alpha-trehalose-phosphate synthase (UDP-forming) activity (GO:0003825) in developing leaves.

Chloride

Anion transporting proteins of the CLC type are involved in anion homeostasis in a variety of organisms. Seven chloride channel (CLC) members have been identified in the Arabidopsis genome and appear to have different roles in diverse cell organelles. Marmagne et al. have shown that AtCLC-e is targeted to the thylakoid membranes in chloroplasts, in agreement with this subcellular localization [46]. The AtCLC-f protein is localized to Golgi membranes and functionally complements the yeast gef1 mutant, which is disrupted in the single yeast CLC gene that encodes a Golgi-associated protein [47]. CLC-b, a close relative of CLC-a, is localized to the tonoplast, and its expression is strongest in young roots, hypocotyl and cotyledons. Fecht-Bartenbach showed that AtCLC-d is weakly expressed in various tissues, including the root. This suggested that the luminal pH in the trans-Golgi network is adjusted by AtCLC-d-mediated transport of a counter anion such as Cl⁻ or [48]. Our results showed that chloride channel (CLC) members CLC-f (GRMZM2G128969) and plastocyanin-like domain-containing protein (GRMZM2G139193, EntrezGene:100284694) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1, and chloride channel protein CLC-d (GRMZM2G397836) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;2. These may be involved in chloride transmembrane transport in the developing leaf.

Sulfate

In addition to ZmTIPs and ZmPIPs, our results showed that SULTR1;3 sulfate transmembrane transporter (GRMZM2G159632, EntrezGene:541917) and SULTR3;1 (GRMZM2G158013, EntrezGene:100382058) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;2 and may be involved in sulfate transmembrane transport in developing leaves.

Auxin

Lewis et al. have investigated ABCB19 from A. thaliana, which belongs to the B group of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. ABCB19 mediates polar auxin transport in stems and roots, and cotyledon expansion during the establishment of photoautotrophic growth depends on ABCB19-mediated auxin import [32]. Our results showed that ABCB19:ATPase multidrug resistance protein 11 (GRMZM2G072850) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1 and may be involved in ABC transporter and ATPase activity coupled to transmembrane movement of substances (GO:0042626), and the G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway (GO:0007186) in the developing leaf. Our results also showed that OsSAUR12:auxin-responsive SAUR gene family member (GRMZM2G154332, EntrezGene:100284645) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;2.

Peptide

In Arabidopsis, AtPTR2, a peptide transport gene, has been suggested to have an important physiological role in plant growth and development [49]. After evaluating the function of this transporter, Song et al. suggested that AtPTR2-B may play a general role in plant nutrition [50]. Our results showed that peptide transporter PTR2-B (GRMZM2G378604, EntrezGene:100281589) and plastocyanin-like domain-containing protein (GRMZM2G139193, EntrezGene:100284694) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1 and may be involved in oligopeptide transport (GO:0006857) in developing leaves. In addition, our results also showed that OPT7 (oligopeptide transporter 7, GRMZM2G479703, EntrezGene:100383021) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;1. There is evidence that AtOPTs mediate the uptake of tetra- and pentapeptides [51].

Sugar

A wide range of sugars including hexoses, pentoses, tetroses, a sugar acid, and sugar alcohols, but not disaccharides, induced inward currents in oocytes expressing AtPLT5. Reinders et al. showed that AtPLT5 encodes an ion-coupled uptake transporter [52]. Our results showed that ATPLT5 (polyol transporter 5, GRMZM2G153920, EntrezGene:100281055) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;1 and may be involved in sugar and substrate-specific transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0022891).

From our results, we also observed significant relationships between the ZmNIP1;1 gene and a transmembrane drug transporter (GRMZM2G069098, EntrezGene:100286164), and ZmNIP2;1 and other drug transmembrane transporters (GRMZM2G043075, GRMZM2G115105). These may be involved in transmembrane drug transport (GO:0006855). Malic acid transport protein SLAH3 (GRMZM2G061469, EntrezGene:100281575) also had a significant relationship with ZmNIP1;1.

Potassium

Potassium (K⁺) is a major plant nutrient required for growth and development. K⁺ uptake in the high-affinity range of concentrations and its components have been widely studied. In A. thaliana, the AtHAK5 transporter and the AtAKT1 channel have been shown to be the main transport proteins involved in this process [53]. Growth analysis shows that AtHAK5 plays a role during severe K⁺ deprivation. Under -deficient conditions, in the presence of Cs⁺, the high-affinity K⁺ transporter AtHAK5 and the inward-rectifier K⁺ channel AtAKT1 have been attributed to K⁺ uptake in Arabidopsis [54]. Our results showed that HAK5 (high potassium transporter 5, GRMZM2G455817) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;1 and may be involved in potassium ion transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0015079) in the developing leaf. Our results also showed that PDS3 (phytoene desaturase 3, GRMZM2G088601) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;1 and may be involved in potassium ion transport (GO:0006813) during leaf development. Potassium transporter 8, KT2 (GRMZM2G125387) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1 and may also be involved in potassium ion transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0015079).

Calcium

The magnitude and duration of cytosolic Ca²⁺ release can potentially be altered by changing the rate of Ca²⁺ efflux. In plant cells, Ca²⁺ efflux from the cytoplasm is mediated by H⁺/Ca²⁺-antiporters and two types of Ca²⁺-ATPases. ACA2 was recently identified as a calmodulin-regulated Ca²⁺-pump located in the endoplasmic reticulum [55]. In our results we observed significant relationships between the ZmNIP2;2 gene and calcium ion transmembrane transporters ACA4 (GRMZM2G104730) and ACA2(GRMZM2G352695). These may be involved in ATPase activity coupled to transmembrane ion movement phosphorylative mechanisms (GO:0015662) and transmembrane calcium ion transporter activity (GO:0015085).

We also observed significant relationships between ZmNIP genes and metal ion transporters. ZmNIP1;1 showed a significant relationship with a copper ion transmembrane transporter (GRMZM2G139193, EntrezGene:100284694), which is a plastocyanin-like domain-containing protein that may also be involved in copper ion binding (GO:0005507). ZmNIP1;1 showed a significant relationship with a mercury ion transporter (GRMZM2G150450, EntrezGene:100281799) and may be involved in mercury ion transmembrane transporter activity (GO:0015097). ZmNIP2;3 showed a significant relationship with ACBP6 (acyl-CoA-binding protein 6, GRMZM2G344634, EntrezGene:100281027) and may be involved in cadmium transmembrane transport. ROP9 (rho-related protein 9, AC209819.3_FG012, EntrezGene:542503) exhibited the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1 and may be involved in cobalt ion homeostasis (GO:0006877). This GO category also includes zinc ion transporters and divalent metal ion transporters involved in manganese homeostasis.

4. Discussion

In the present study, the results show the expression profiles of aquaporins along a leaf developmental gradient were mostly statistically significant, and expression differed by orders of magnitude. ZmTIP4;3, ZmTIP4;1, ZmTIP1;1, ZmSIP1;1, ZmSIP1;2, ZmSIP2;1, ZmPIP2;7, ZmNIP5-1 showed hardly any or no expression in four developmental maize leaf zones. ZmTIP4;4, ZmTIP3;2, ZmNIP1;1, and ZmNIP3;1 were specifically expressed in the mature leaf zone, while ZmNIP2;1 and ZmTIP4;2 were specifically expressed in the leaf basal. Based on the gene expression profiles of the 24 maize aquaporins along a leaf developmental gradient, a coexpression network-based approach was used to construct coexpression networks. The coexpression networks are partitioned into two modules, indicating a strong modular structure. one modules includes ZmPIP2;1, ZmNIP3;1, ZmPIP1;6, ZmPIP2;4, ZmPIP1;3/ZmPIP1;4, ZmTIP3;2, ZmPIP2;3, ZmPIP1;1, ZmPIP2;2, ZmNIP1;1, ZmTIP2;3, ZmTIP1;2, ZmTIP3;1, ZmTIP4;4, which showed the highest expression in the basal and transitional zone showed much lower or hardly detectable expression in the maturing and mature zone. While the opposite applied to another modules which are ZmPIP1;5, ZmPIP2;5, ZmNIP2;3, ZmNIP2;1, ZmTIP4;2, ZmTIP2;1, ZmTIP2;2, ZmPIP2;6, ZmNIP2;2, those genes showed the highest expression in maturing and mature leaf tissue. These results do not seem surprising considering that there are two groups of aquaporins, one positively and the other negatively regulated during different stages of leaf development.

After examining the dynamic expression patterns of aquaporins in four maize leaf developmental zones, we were interested in studying the correlations of aquaporins and nutrient transporters along a leaf developmental gradient. The results described the correlations of ZmTIPs, ZmPIPs, ZmNIPs, and associated transmembrane solute transport in Section 3 provided novel insights and showed a significant specificity correlation between aquaporins and transmembrane solute transporters in the developing maize leaf.

4.1. Specific Maize Aquaporins Are Related to Specific Transmembrane Transporter Families in Developing Leaves

It is proposed that during evolution, plant aquaporins diversified in terms of both the specificity of their expression in plant tissues and their water permeation properties, while maintaining their ability to be induced by the activities of their transmembrane solute transporters. Some aquaporins are more related to specific developmental stages and/or organs. In this study, we confirmed that sulfate transmembrane transporters show specific correlation to certain maize aquaporins, as shown in Figure 4. SULTR1;3 shows a significant relationship with ZmNIP2;1, SULTR3;1 with ZmNIP2;2, SULTR2;1 with ZmTIP2;2, and SULTR3;4 with ZmTIP3;2, ZmPIP1;1 and ZmPIP2;1. This suggests that these maize aquaporins are related to a specific sulfate transmembrane transporter family, SULTR, in the developing leaf.

Figure 4: Specific aquaporins are related to a specific transmembrane solutes(ions) transporters in developing maize leaf (a) phosphate transporter (b) chloride channel members with maize aquaporins (c) ABC transporters and multidrug resistance protein (d) sulfate transmembrane transport with maize aquaporins.

With chloride channel (CLC) members, our results show that not only does CLC-f exhibit the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1 in developing leaves, but also chloride channel protein CLC-d, which is believed to be involved in inorganic phosphate transmembrane transport, displays the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;2.

Our analysis also reveals that phosphate transporters PHT4;2 and PHT4;6 exhibit the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1, and PHT5 the same as ZmNIP2;1, suggesting that these genes may be involved in inorganic phosphate transmembrane transport during leaf development.

4.2. Overlapping Patterns of Expression for Some of Transmembrane Solute Transport Family Members

Overlapping patterns of expression for some of the transmembrane solute transport family members were evident in our analysis. Lavin-containing monooxygenase family protein/FMO family protein not only exhibits the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3, but also ZmPIP2;1, suggesting it may be involved in potassium ion transport (GO:0006813) in the developing leaf. ABCB19:ATPase multidrug resistance protein 11 shows the same expression patterns as ZmNIP1;1, ZmTIP2;3, and ZmTIP3;2, suggesting that these aquaporins may be involved in ABC-mediated transport and multidrug resistance systems. Peptide transporter PTR2-B proton-dependent oligopeptide transport (POT) family protein exhibits the same expression patterns as ZmTIP2;3 and ZmNIP1;1, suggesting that these genes may be involved in oligopeptide transport (GO:0006857) during leaf development. ATPLT5 (polyol transporter 5) exhibits the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;1 and ZmTIP3;2, suggesting they may be involved in the transport of sugars.

Accurate prediction in our approach depends on the conditions associated with each gene. To evaluate the predictive capacity, we examined previously published research work. Important evidence about the reliability of our systems level analysis comes from Kataoka et al. [30]. Sulfate transmembrane transporters include a family of high-affinity sulfate transporters, with members SULTR1;1, SULTR1;3, SULTR1;2, SULTR3;1, SULTR3;2, SULTR3;4, SULTR3;5, SULTR4;1, and SULTR4;2. Kataoka et al. showed that in Arabidopsis, SULTR3;5 was colocalized with the SULTR2;1 low-affinity sulfate transporter in xylem parenchyma and pericycle cells in roots. The root-to-shoot transport of sulfate is restricted in sultr3;5 mutants, and under conditions of high SULTR2;1 expression in the roots after sulfur limitation, coexpression of SULTR3;5 and SULTR2;1 provides maximal sulfate transport activity. This facilitates retrieval of apoplastic sulfate from the xylem parenchyma cells into the vasculature of Arabidopsis roots and may contribute to the root-to-shoot transport of sulfate. In this study, we found that SULTR3;1 (sulfate transporter 3;1, GRMZM2G158013, EntrezGene:100382058) exhibits the same expression patterns as ZmNIP2;2, and SULTR2;1 (sulfate transporter2;1, GRMZM2G042171) the same as ZmTIP2;2. indicating that these genes are coexpressed and involved in transmembrane sulfate transport in the developing leaf. Other evidence comes from recent investigations on how the structural features of plant aquaporins at atomic resolution influence their substrate selectivity. Our results are in accord with data reported by [6] and [8].

5. Conclusion

The mechanisms controlling the selectivity of aquaporins and nutrient transporters in most plants have been widely studied [6, 8]. However, these studies have focused on aquaporin structures at atomic resolution. Advances in postgenomic technologies and their use by the scientific community are generating increasing quantities of high quality genome-wide transcriptomic data sets. Deposition of these data sets into publicly accessible online databases enables researchers to analyze the collated data and uncover novel information. Therefore, there is a great need for additional analytical approaches to maximize the return on the large collective investment made in data generation. Here, we present a genome-wide analysis and coexpression network-based approach as a powerful novel associative tool for the investigation and prediction of gene function using gene expression data from developing maize leaves. The analysis demonstrates a systems-level correlation between aquaporins, nutrient transporters, and the homeostasis of mineral nutrients in the developing maize leaf. This computational methodology represents a useful alternative approach for the extraction of biological knowledge from existing data. Our results also provide a resource for further studies into the physiological function of these aquaporins.

Authors’ Contribution

X. Yue and X. Zhao contributed equally to this work.

Acknowledgments

This study is supported by State Key Laboratory of Crop Science, China (Grant no. 2009KF03), the National Major Program of Transgenic Research in China (Grant no. 2011ZX08003-003), the Key Project of Transgenic Crop Improvement in China (Grant no. 2009ZX08003-023B), and the National Natural Science Foundation, China (Grant nos. 31171475 and 31170293).

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