New potential transporter CIPAS8 enhances cadmium hypersensitivity and cobalt tolerance

Key message CIPAS8 is a novel Cd-influx and Co-efflux transporters, and Ser86 and Cys128 might play a decisive role in Co-binding and translocation. Abstract Cadmium (Cd) is among the most toxic heavy metals and is a widespread environmental pollutant. Cobalt (Co) is a mineral nutrient that is essential for plant growth and development, but high concentrations may be toxic. Cadmium-induced protein AS8 (CIPAS8) is widely distributed among plant species and might be induced by heavy metals, but its function has not been studied previously. In this study, Populus euphratica PeCIPAS8 and Salix linearistipularis SlCIPAS8 were investigated. The transcription of both genes was significantly enhanced under Cd and Co stresses. PeCIPAS8 and SlCIPAS8 conferred sensitivity to Cd in transgenic yeast, allowing higher quantities of Cd to accumulate within the cells, whereas SlCIPAS8 also conferred tolerance to Co and reduced Co accumulation. The determinants of substrate selectivity of the SlCIPAS8 protein were examined by site mutagenesis, which indicated that the Ser at 86th (S86) substituted for Arg (R) [S86R] and Cys at 128th (C128) substituted for Ser [C128S] mutations limited the protein’s capability for Co translocation. These results suggested that PeCIPAS8 and SlCIPAS8 may be involved in Cd uptake into the plant cell. SlCIPAS8 can reduce excess Co accumulation to maintain intracellular Co homeostasis, and the site mutations S86R and C128S were essential for Co transport. These findings provide insight into the function of CIPAS8 and highlight its potential for utilization in phytoremediation applications.