Molecular basis of plasma membrane H+-ATPase function and potential application in the agricultural production

Increase of crop yield is always the desired goal, manipulation of genes in relation to plant growth is a shortcut to promote crop yield. The plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase is the plant master enzyme; the energy yielded by ATP hydrolysis pumps H+ out of cells, establishes the membrane potential, maintains pH homeostasis and provides the proton-motive force required for transmembrane transport of many materials. PM H+-ATPase is involved in root nutrient uptake, epidermal stomatal opening, phloem sucrose loading and unloading, and hypocotyl cell elongation. In this review, we summarize the recent progresses in roles of PM H+-ATPase in nutrient uptake and light-induced stomatal opening and discuss the pivotal role of PM H+-ATPase in crop yield improvement and its potential application in agricultural production by modulating the expression of PM H+-ATPase in crops.