The Arabidopsis thaliana IRON-REGULATED TRANSPORTER 1
(IRT1) is a high-affinity iron (ferrous ion - Fe2+) transporter,
essential for the uptake of iron from the soil into the root
epidermal layer. The protein belongs to the Zrt/Irt-like protein
(ZIP) family of transporters and is involved in cellular metal
homeostasis. IRT1 also mediates the uptake of divalent metal ions,
including heavy metals, under iron-deficient conditions. The
availability of secondary metal ions (e.g. Zn, Co, Mn) control the
intracellular location of the protein.
Previous overexpression experiments demonstrated increased levels
of iron in transgenic rice and cassava. Loss-of-function mutations
lead to lethal chlorotic phenotype.
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