Exploring the Effects of VgPIP1;2 Overexpression in the Roots of Young Rice Plants: Modifications in Root Architecture, Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Profiles

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a major staple crop that feeds over half of the world’s population. However, its cultivation depends heavily on nitrogen fertilizers, which increase both environmental impacts and production costs. Enhancing the sustainable use of nitrogen is therefore essential for maintaining global food security. Previously, we characterized an aquaporin (VgPIP1;2) from the bromeliad Vriesea gigantea that transports ammonium and has great biotechnological potential. Here, we investigated the effect of VgPIP1;2 heterologous expression on rice, particularly in root development and nitrogen metabolism. Transgenic plants cultivated in hydroponics exhibited a larger root network area compared to wild type plants. Biochemical and metabolomic analyses revealed that the roots of VgPIP1;2 overexpressing plants have higher contents of nitrogen, free amino acids and sugars. In line with these results, the transcriptional profile showed that genes involved with nitrogen uptake and assimilation, amino acid biosynthesis and sugar metabolism are upregulated in transgenic plants. These findings indicate that VgPIP1;2 overexpression positively modulates nitrogen and carbon metabolism, altering root development in rice. Thus, the expression of VgPIP1;2 would represent a potential strategy to develop new rice cultivars with improved root architecture suited to enhance nitrogen absorption and assimilation.