HAK5 — Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary

AT4G13420, known as HAK5, encodes a protein with potassium:sodium symporter activity and potassium transporter activity, belonging to the K+ transporter family. In Arabidopsis thaliana, HAK5 is directly associated with potassium ion acquisition, transport, and cesium tolerance and response. The gene has been linked to numerous traits including potassium content, biomass yield, seed yield, seed size, root length and morphology, leaf elongation rate, chlorophyll content, water use efficiency, transpiration rate, flowering time, and responses to low temperature, osmotic, and salt stress. HAK5 is also connected to nitrate transport and uptake, lignin biosynthesis, sucrose synthase activity, and stomatal resistance. The protein localizes to the plasma membrane, vacuole, cytosol, nucleus, and mitochondria, and is associated with processes such as membrane depolarization, auxin transport, and response to nutrient levels. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to yield, fruit color, tuber development, and root meristem activity.