Discover where and how seeds store iron.

Biologists have discovered where and how to store iron from some seeds. This is a valuable finding for scientists in the study to improve iron content in plants. Their research also helps address iron deficiency and global malnutrition in humans.

3-D photos show that iron (red) and manganese (green) are found in seeds.(Photo: Sciencedaily)

The research team discovered that iron is stored in the developing vascular system of the seed of Arabidopsis, a model plant used in research. Specifically, iron is stored in the vacuole, a central storage area of ​​plant cells . Scientists also found that iron stores are confined to such a region depending on a protein called VIT1, an iron transporter protein into the vacuole.

' Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder in humans in the world today and the number of people suffering from this disease is more than 3 billion people worldwide ,' said Mary Lou Guerinot, a biologist at the school. Dartmouth College (New Hampshire), the principal researcher of the study, said.

' Most people with iron deficiency rely on plant sources to supplement iron in their diets, but plants with iron content are not high and the amount of iron in the soil can limit it. plant growth. Our research has shown that the storage of iron in vacuoles is a promising target that has not been studied much before, a goal that increases iron content in seeds with the possibility of success. high. And, such nutritious seeds will benefit not only human health but also agricultural productivity. '

The scientists combined the analysis in the traditional way - based on the results of the change (involving or eliminating the involvement of VIT1 protein) by using powerful X-ray imaging to create a map in place where iron is concentrated in seeds. The findings surprised Ms. Guerinot because most studies of iron stores focus on another protein called ferritin.

Jane Silverthorne, program director of DBI Institute for Biological Studies, National Science Foundation, said: ' This study is a great example, demonstrating the power of a combination of tools. The new type - in this study is a combination of genetics and high-resolution, three-dimensional X-ray fluorescence imaging - to understand the function of the gene. The discovery that iron is concentrated in certain areas of the seed has opened up the possibility of developing seedlings, such as cereals and beans, to achieve a high content of this important nutrient. '

These findings suggest that in order to understand how plants store iron, reconsider the role of ferritin protein. Scientists say that the amount of iron stored in the vacuole is a major source of iron to develop seedlings and seedlings without protein VIT1 will develop stunted when iron content is limited. .

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