A novel phloem-specific HVA22-like protein facilitates protein movement via plasmodesmata in potato

Subcellular targeting and functionality of plant sucrose transporters (SUTs) are affected at the post-translational level by protein-protein interactions. A systematic screening for SUT-interacting proteins identified a novel plasmodesma (PD)-localized membrane protein belonging to the HVA22 family of stress-induced ER proteins. It carries three transmembrane domains and three zinc-finger domains, interacts with all three sucrose transporters from potato, and co-localizes with PD callose and PD marker proteins. Detailed analyses of transgenic potato plants with decreased expression of this PD protein displaying phenotypic alterations regarding trichome length, leaf expansion, root length, flowering time and tuberization helped to determine its physiological function. These effects are partially graft-transmissible indicating the participation of phloem-mobile signals. Changes in the levels of callose in RNAi plants suggested effects on PD permeability. Co-infiltration experiments revealed enhanced mobility of sucrose transporter—GFP fusion proteins via plasmodesmata in the presence of the HVA22-like protein. The analysis of transgenic plants further suggests that HVA22 protein is a general regulator of PD permeability in potato. Taken together, the HVA22-like protein is an ER protein localized close to phloem plasmodesmata and enhances mobility of GFP proteins of different sizes.