PIP — Lactuca sativa

Summary

LsPIP (PIP, PIP2-1, LsPIP1) on lettuce chromosome 6 encodes an aquaporin with water channel activity, belonging to the MIP and aquaporin-like families. The protein localises to the membrane and plasmalemma and is associated with protein heterotetramerization and homotetramerization. In lettuce, LsPIP is linked to leaf relative water content, photosynthetic rate, phosphorus and potassium concentrations, as well as water stress response, salt tolerance and plant growth. Studies of related genes in other species connect the family to traits including drought tolerance, water use efficiency, stomatal resistance, transpiration rate, carbon isotope discrimination, leaf water potential, turgor pressure, hydrogen peroxide content, chlorophyll content, lycopene content, fruit size, germination rate, root length, plant height, carbohydrate content, and defence and viral resistance responses.