New insights into HcPTR2A and HcPTR2B, two high-affinity peptide transporters from the ectomycorrhizal model fungusHebeloma cylindrosporum

While plants mainly rely on the use of inorganic nitrogen sources like ammonium and nitrate, soil-borne microorganisms like the ectomycorrhizal fungusHebeloma cylindrosporumcan also take up soil organic N in the form of amino acids and peptides that they use as nitrogen and carbon sources. Following the previous identification and functional expression in yeast of two PTR-like peptide transporters, the present study details the functions and substrates of HcPTR2A and HcPTR2B by analysing their transport kinetics inXenopus laevisoocytes. While both transporters mediated high-affinity di- and tripeptide transport, HcPTR2A also showed low-affinity transport of several amino acids-mostly hydrophobic ones with large side chains.