IRT1 — Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Summary

BvIRT1 (BVRB_3G063680) on sugar beet chromosome 3 encodes a ZIP family protein with zinc ion transmembrane transporter activity. The gene is associated with iron acquisition, accumulation, and uptake in this species, as well as with iron, zinc, and cadmium transport, detoxification, homeostasis, and cell death. It is linked to plasmalemma localisation and to pathways including Fe(II) import from the extracellular space to phloem cells, iron uptake and transport in the root vascular system, and response to iron deficiency. BvIRT1 is also connected to iron concentration as a trait. Studies of related genes in other species link the family to zinc uptake.