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Li H, Zhu X, Wang J, Wei Y, Nai F, Yu H, Wang X. Unraveling differential characteristics and mechanisms of nitrogen uptake in wheat cultivars with varied nitrogen use efficiency. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 206:108278. [PMID: 38147707 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen uptake is crucial to wheat nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The study's findings indicate that both high- and low-NUE cultivars exhibited highest nitrogen uptake efficiency (NupE) under 0.2 mM nitrogen. Under 2 mM nitrogen, their NupEs decrease significantly, while uptakes to NO3- were notably higher than that of NH4+. Strikingly, high-NUE cultivars exhibited a significantly higher NH4+ uptake rate than low NUE cultivars, resulting in a marked improvement in their ability to take up nitrogen. The NUEs of the cultivars with 5 mM nitrogen were almost half that of 2 mM nitrogen. NO3- uptake primarily occurred in the mature zone of roots, while NH4+ uptake took place in the root tip meristem and elongation zones. Notably, the NH4+ uptake in root tip meristematic zone of high-NUE cultivar was significantly higher than that of low NUE cultivar. Furthermore, the NO3- uptake of high-NUE cultivar in the root mature zone was significantly higher than that of low-NUE cultivar under 2 mM nitrogen. These findings were consistent with the significantly higher expression levels of TaAMT in root tip and of TaNRT in root mature area of high-NUE cultivar compared to low-NUE cultivar, respectively, enabling efficient absorption of NO3- and NH4+ and transport of NO3- to shoot. The high-NUE cultivars showed elevated expression of amino acid transporters further promoting nitrogen uptake, and conversion of nitrogen into ureides and amino acids further facilitated inorganic nitrogen uptake by roots. The differential findings offer valuable insights into novel variety breeding of high NUE in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqiang Li
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan, China; Research and Experiment Station of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loss in Farmland of the Yellow River Basin in Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan, China
| | - Junjun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan, China
| | - Yihao Wei
- Research and Experiment Station of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loss in Farmland of the Yellow River Basin in Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Furong Nai
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan, China
| | - Haidong Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan, China; Research and Experiment Station of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loss in Farmland of the Yellow River Basin in Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
| | - Xiaochun Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan, China; State Key Laboratory of Wheat and Maize Crop Science in China, Henan Agriculture University, Zhengzhou 450000, China; Research and Experiment Station of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loss in Farmland of the Yellow River Basin in Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
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Sigalas PP, Buchner P, Kröper A, Hawkesford MJ. The Functional Diversity of the High-Affinity Nitrate Transporter Gene Family in Hexaploid Wheat: Insights from Distinct Expression Profiles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:509. [PMID: 38203680 PMCID: PMC10779101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
High-affinity nitrate transporters (NRT) are key components for nitrogen (N) acquisition and distribution within plants. However, insights on these transporters in wheat are scarce. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the NRT2 and NRT3 gene families, where the aim is to shed light on their functionality and to evaluate their responses to N availability. A total of 53 NRT2s and 11 NRT3s were identified in the bread wheat genome, and these were grouped into different clades and homoeologous subgroups. The transcriptional dynamics of the identified NRT2 and NRT3 genes, in response to N starvation and nitrate resupply, were examined by RT-qPCR in the roots and shoots of hydroponically grown wheat plants through a time course experiment. Additionally, the spatial expression patterns of these genes were explored within the plant. The NRT2s of clade 1, TaNRT2.1-2.6, showed a root-specific expression and significant upregulation in response to N starvation, thus emphasizing a role in N acquisition. However, most of the clade 2 NRT2s displayed reduced expression under N-starved conditions. Nitrate resupply after N starvation revealed rapid responsiveness in TaNRT2.1-2.6, while clade 2 genes exhibited gradual induction, primarily in the roots. TaNRT2.18 was highly expressed in above-ground tissues and exhibited distinct nitrate-related response patterns for roots and shoots. The TaNRT3 gene expression closely paralleled the profiles of TaNRT2.1-2.6 in response to nitrate induction. These findings enhance the understanding of NRT2 and NRT3 involvement in nitrogen uptake and utilization, and they could have practical implications for improving nitrogen use efficiency. The study also recommends a standardized nomenclature for wheat NRT2 genes, thereby addressing prior naming inconsistencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petros P. Sigalas
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK; (P.B.); (M.J.H.)
| | - Peter Buchner
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK; (P.B.); (M.J.H.)
| | - Alex Kröper
- Faculty of Agronomy, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany;
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Puccio G, Ingraffia R, Giambalvo D, Frenda AS, Harkess A, Sunseri F, Mercati F. Exploring the genetic landscape of nitrogen uptake in durum wheat: genome-wide characterization and expression profiling of NPF and NRT2 gene families. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1302337. [PMID: 38023895 PMCID: PMC10665861 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1302337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate uptake by plants primarily relies on two gene families: Nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter (NPF) and Nitrate transporter 2 (NRT2). Here, we extensively characterized the NPF and NRT2 families in the durum wheat genome, revealing 211 NPF and 20 NRT2 genes. The two families share many Cis Regulatory Elements (CREs) and Transcription Factor binding sites, highlighting a partially overlapping regulatory system and suggesting a coordinated response for nitrate transport and utilization. Analyzing RNA-seq data from 9 tissues and 20 cultivars, we explored expression profiles and co-expression relationships of both gene families. We observed a strong correlation between nucleotide variation and gene expression within the NRT2 gene family, implicating a shared selection mechanism operating on both coding and regulatory regions. Furthermore, NPF genes showed highly tissue-specific expression profiles, while NRT2s were mainly divided in two co-expression modules, one expressed in roots (NAR2/NRT3 dependent) and the other induced in anthers and/ovaries during maturation. Our evidences confirmed that the majority of these genes were retained after small-scale duplication events, suggesting a neo- or sub-functionalization of many NPFs and NRT2s. Altogether, these findings indicate that the expansion of these gene families in durum wheat could provide valuable genetic variability useful to identify NUE-related and candidate genes for future breeding programs in the context of low-impact and sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Puccio
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Rosolino Ingraffia
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Dario Giambalvo
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alfonso S. Frenda
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alex Harkess
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL, United States
| | - Francesco Sunseri
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
- Department Agraria , University Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Francesco Mercati
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR), National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
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Sebastiana M, Serrazina S, Monteiro F, Wipf D, Fromentin J, Teixeira R, Malhó R, Courty PE. Nitrogen Acquisition and Transport in the Ectomycorrhizal Symbiosis-Insights from the Interaction between an Oak Tree and Pisolithus tinctorius. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:10. [PMID: 36616139 PMCID: PMC9823632 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In temperate forests, the roots of various tree species are colonized by ectomycorrhizal fungi, which have a key role in the nitrogen nutrition of their hosts. However, not much is known about the molecular mechanisms related to nitrogen metabolism in ectomycorrhizal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the nitrogen metabolic response of oak plants when inoculated with the ectomycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius. The expression of candidate genes encoding proteins involved in nitrogen uptake and assimilation was investigated in ectomycorrhizal roots. We found that three oak ammonium transporters were over-expressed in root tissues after inoculation, while the expression of amino acid transporters was not modified, suggesting that inorganic nitrogen is the main form of nitrogen transferred by the symbiotic fungus into the roots of the host plant. Analysis by heterologous complementation of a yeast mutant defective in ammonium uptake and GFP subcellular protein localization clearly confirmed that two of these genes encode functional ammonium transporters. Structural similarities between the proteins encoded by these ectomycorrhizal upregulated ammonium transporters, and a well-characterized ammonium transporter from E. coli, suggest a similar transport mechanism, involving deprotonation of NH4+, followed by diffusion of uncharged NH3 into the cytosol. This view is supported by the lack of induction of NH4+ detoxifying mechanisms, such as the GS/GOGAT pathway, in the oak mycorrhizal roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Sebastiana
- BioISI—Instituto de Biosistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Susana Serrazina
- BioISI—Instituto de Biosistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Filipa Monteiro
- Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food (LEAF), Associated Laboratory TERRA, Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), Universidade de Lisboa, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Daniel Wipf
- Agroécologie, INRAE, Institut Agro, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Jérome Fromentin
- Agroécologie, INRAE, Institut Agro, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | - Rita Teixeira
- BioISI—Instituto de Biosistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Malhó
- BioISI—Instituto de Biosistemas e Ciências Integrativas, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Courty
- Agroécologie, INRAE, Institut Agro, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
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Kumar A, Sandhu N, Kumar P, Pruthi G, Singh J, Kaur S, Chhuneja P. Genome-wide identification and in silico analysis of NPF, NRT2, CLC and SLAC1/SLAH nitrate transporters in hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum). Sci Rep 2022; 12:11227. [PMID: 35781289 PMCID: PMC9250930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15202-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen transport is one of the most important processes in plants mediated by specialized transmembrane proteins. Plants have two main systems for nitrogen uptake from soil and its transport within the system—a low-affinity transport system and a high-affinity transport system. Nitrate transporters are of special interest in cereal crops because large amount of money is spent on N fertilizers every year to enhance the crop productivity. Till date four gene families of nitrate transporter proteins; NPF (nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family), NRT2 (nitrate transporter 2 family), the CLC (chloride channel family), and the SLAC/SLAH (slow anion channel-associated homologues) have been reported in plants. In our study, in silico mining of nitrate transporter genes along with their detailed structure, phylogenetic and expression analysis was carried out. A total of 412 nitrate transporter genes were identified in hexaploid wheat genome using HMMER based homology searches in IWGSC Refseq v2.0. Out of those twenty genes were root specific, 11 leaf/shoot specific and 17 genes were grain/spike specific. The identification of nitrate transporter genes in the close proximity to the previously identified 67 marker-traits associations associated with the nitrogen use efficiency related traits in nested synthetic hexaploid wheat introgression library indicated the robustness of the reported transporter genes. The detailed crosstalk between the genome and proteome and the validation of identified putative candidate genes through expression and gene editing studies may lay down the foundation to improve nitrogen use efficiency of cereal crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Kumar
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Nitika Sandhu
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Gomsie Pruthi
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Jasneet Singh
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Satinder Kaur
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Parveen Chhuneja
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
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Liu L, Weng Y, Fang J, Zhao Z, Du S. Understanding the effect of GO on nitrogen assimilation in wheat through transcriptomics and metabolic process analysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 296:134000. [PMID: 35192852 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The extensive use of graphene oxide (GO) has resulted in its inevitable entry into the environment. It has been established that GO is detrimental to nitrogen accumulation in plants, as nitrogen is one of the most important nutrient for plant growth. However, its influence on nitrogen assimilation has not yet been investigated comprehensively. Based on the analysis of transcriptomics and nitrogen metabolites, this study showed that 400 mg L-1 GO exposure downregulated most of the genes encoding nitrogen-assimilating enzymes, including nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). The activities of the above enzymes in wheat roots were also reduced with GO addition, and the activities of NR and GS, the rate-limiting enzymes of nitrate and ammonium assimilation, were approximately 75% and 76% lower with 400 mg L-1 GO supply, respectively, compared to those upon control treatment. Correspondingly, GO appears to exert a negative effect on multiple nitrogen assimilation products, including nitrous nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, glutamine, glutamate, and soluble protein. In summary, this study showed that GO has adverse effects on the nitrogen assimilation of plants, and NR and GS are the most affected sites. Our findings would provide deeper insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying GO phytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention Technology of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Yineng Weng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Jin Fang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Zijing Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention Technology of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, China
| | - Shaoting Du
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention Technology of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy (IRA), Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, 310015, China.
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7
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Łangowski Ł, Goñi O, Ikuyinminu E, Feeney E, O'Connell S. Investigation of the direct effect of a precision Ascophyllum nodosum biostimulant on nitrogen use efficiency in wheat seedlings. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2022; 179:44-57. [PMID: 35306329 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Reduction in the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nitrogen (N) pollution of ground water by improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in crops has become an intensively investigated research topic in pursuit of a more sustainable future. Although, distinct solutions have been proposed there are only a few reports documenting the detailed interplay between observed plant growth dynamics and changes in plant N related transcriptional and biochemical changes. It was previously demonstrated that the application of a formulated biostimulant (PSI-362) derived from Ascophyllum nodosum (ANE) improves N uptake in Arabidopsis thaliana and in barley. In this study, the effect of PSI-362 on the growth dynamics of wheat seedlings was evaluated at different biostimulant and N supplementation rates. Wheat grown on N deficient MS medium was also analysed from the first hour of the treatment until the depletion of the nutrients in the medium 9 days later. During this time the biomass increase measured for PSI-362 treated plants versus untreated controls was associated with increased nitrate uptake, with surplus N assimilated by the biomass in the form of glutamate, glutamine, free amino acids, soluble proteins, and chlorophyll. Phenotypical and biochemical analysis were supported by evaluation of differential expression of genetic markers involved in nitrate perception and transport (TaNRT1.1/NPF6.3), nitrate and nitrite reduction (TaNR1 and TaNiR1) and assimilation (TaGDH2, TaGoGAT, TaGS1). Finally, a comparative analysis of the precision biostimulant PSI-362 and two generic ANEs demonstrated that the NUE effect greatly differs depending on the ANE formulation used.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Oscar Goñi
- Plant Biostimulant Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University-Kerry (South Campus), Clash, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland; Brandon Bioscience, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland
| | - Elomofe Ikuyinminu
- Plant Biostimulant Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University-Kerry (South Campus), Clash, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland; Brandon Bioscience, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland
| | - Ewan Feeney
- Brandon Bioscience, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland
| | - Shane O'Connell
- Plant Biostimulant Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University-Kerry (South Campus), Clash, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland; Brandon Bioscience, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland.
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Premkumar A, Javed MT, Pawlowski K, Lindberg SM. Silicate Inhibits the Cytosolic Influx of Chloride in Protoplasts of Wheat and Affects the Chloride Transporters, TaCLC1 and TaNPF2.4/2.5. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11091162. [PMID: 35567163 PMCID: PMC9102027 DOI: 10.3390/plants11091162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Chloride is an essential nutrient for plants, but high concentrations can be harmful. Silicon ameliorates both abiotic and biotic stresses in plants, but it is unknown if it can prevent cellular increase of chloride. Therefore, we investigated the influx of Cl− ions in two wheat cultivars different in salt sensitivity, by epifluorescence microscopy and a highly Cl−-sensitive dye, MQAE, N-[ethoxycarbonylmethyl]-6-methoxy-quinolinium bromide, in absence and presence of potassium silicate, K2SiO3. The Cl−-influx was higher in the salt-sensitive cv. Vinjett, than in the salt-tolerant cv. S-24, and silicate pre-treatment of protoplasts inhibited the Cl−-influx in both cultivars, but more in the sensitive cv. Vinjett. To investigate if the Cl−-transporters TaCLC1 and TaNPF2.4/2.5 are affected by silicate, expression analyses by RT-qPCR were undertaken of TaCLC1 and TaNPF 2.4/2.5 transcripts in the absence and presence of 100 mM NaCl, with and without the presence of K2SiO3. The results show that both transporter genes were expressed in roots and shoots of wheat seedlings, but their expressions were differently affected by silicate. The TaNPF2.4/2.5 expression in leaves was markedly depressed by silicate. These findings demonstrate that less chloride accumulates in the cytosol of leaf mesophyll by Si treatment and increases salt tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Muhammad Tariq Javed
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan;
| | - Katharina Pawlowski
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-11418 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Sylvia M. Lindberg
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-11418 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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Ijato T, Porras-Murillo R, Ganz P, Ludewig U, Neuhäuser B. Concentration-dependent physiological and transcriptional adaptations of wheat seedlings to ammonium. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 171:328-342. [PMID: 32335941 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Conventional wheat production utilizes fertilizers of various nitrogen forms. Sole ammonium nutrition has been shown to improve grain quality, despite the potential toxic effects of ammonium at elevated concentrations. We therefore investigated the responses of young seedlings of winter wheat to different nitrogen sources (NH4 NO3 = NN, NH4 Cl = NNH4 + and KNO3 = NNO3 - ). Growth with ammonium-nitrate was superior. However, an elevated concentration of sole ammonium caused severe toxicity symptoms and significant decreases in biomass accumulation. We addressed the molecular background of the ammonium uptake by gathering an overview of the ammonium transporter (AMT) of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and characterized the putative high-affinity TaAMT1 transporters. TaAMT1;1 and TaAMT1;2 were both active in yeast and Xenopus laevis oocytes and showed saturating high-affinity ammonium transport characteristics. Interestingly, nitrogen starvation, as well as ammonium resupply to starved seedlings triggered an increase in the expression of the TaAMT1s. The presence of nitrate seamlessly repressed their expression. We conclude that wheat showed the ability to respond robustly to sole ammonium supply by adopting distinct physiological and transcriptional responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toyosi Ijato
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 20, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Romano Porras-Murillo
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 20, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Pascal Ganz
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 20, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Uwe Ludewig
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 20, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Benjamin Neuhäuser
- Institute of Crop Science, Nutritional Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 20, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
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10
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Kong L, Zhang Y, Du W, Xia H, Fan S, Zhang B. Signaling Responses to N Starvation: Focusing on Wheat and Filling the Putative Gaps With Findings Obtained in Other Plants. A Review. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:656696. [PMID: 34135921 PMCID: PMC8200679 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.656696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Wheat is one of the most important food crops worldwide. In recent decades, fertilizers, especially nitrogen (N), have been increasingly utilized to maximize wheat productivity. However, a large proportion of N is not used by plants and is in fact lost into the environment and causes serious environmental pollution. Therefore, achieving a low N optimum via efficient physiological and biochemical processes in wheat grown under low-N conditions is highly important for agricultural sustainability. Although N stress-related N capture in wheat has become a heavily researched subject, how this plant adapts and responds to N starvation has not been fully elucidated. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the signaling mechanisms activated in wheat plants in response to N starvation. Furthermore, we filled the putative gaps on this subject with findings obtained in other plants, primarily rice, maize, and Arabidopsis. Phytohormones have been determined to play essential roles in sensing environmental N starvation and transducing this signal into an adjustment of N transporters and phenotypic adaptation. The critical roles played by protein kinases and critical kinases and phosphatases, such as MAPK and PP2C, as well as the multifaceted functions of transcription factors, such as NF-Y, MYB, DOF, and WRKY, in regulating the expression levels of their target genes (proteins) for low-N tolerance are also discussed. Optimization of root system architecture (RSA) via root branching and thinning, improvement of N acquisition and assimilation, and fine-tuned autophagy are pivotal strategies by which plants respond to N starvation. In light of these findings, we attempted to construct regulatory networks for RSA modification and N uptake, transport, assimilation, and remobilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingan Kong
- Crop Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China
- College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Yunxiu Zhang
- Crop Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Wanying Du
- Crop Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China
- College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Haiyong Xia
- Crop Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Shoujin Fan
- College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Crop Research Institute, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Zhang,
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Lu HL, Nkoh JN, Abdulaha-Al Baquy M, Dong G, Li JY, Xu RK. Plants alter surface charge and functional groups of their roots to adapt to acidic soil conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115590. [PMID: 33254607 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The rapid increase in soil acidification rate has led to a decrease in global agricultural productivity owing to the debilitating effects of Al and Mn toxicities. In this study, we investigated the adaptation of plants to acidic conditions by examining the behavior of plant roots grown in hydroponic solution and pot experiments at different pHs. The Mn(II) sorption by the roots was investigated and the mechanisms involved were deduced by analyzing the changes in the zeta potential and functional groups on the root surface. The exchangeable, complexed, and precipitated Mn(II) on plant roots were extracted sequentially with 1 M KNO3, 0.05 M EDTA-2Na, and 0.01 M HCl. The results of hydroponic experiment indicated that plant roots subjected to NH4+ treatment carried lower negative charge and fewer functional groups owing to acidic pH condition induced by NH4+ uptake of roots, when compared with plant roots treated with NO3-. Similarly, in pot experiments, the surface negative charge and functional groups of plant roots cultured in soils with lower pH were fewer than those on plant roots cultured in soils with higher pH, with the former presenting less exchangeable and complexed Mn(II) sorption than the latter. Thus, alterations in the charge properties and number of functional groups on the surface of plant roots are some of the mechanisms used by plants to adapt to acidic soil condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Long Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 821, Nanjing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jackson Nkoh Nkoh
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 821, Nanjing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - M Abdulaha-Al Baquy
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 821, Nanjing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ge Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 821, Nanjing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiu-Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 821, Nanjing, China
| | - Ren-Kou Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 821, Nanjing, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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12
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Wang H, Wan Y, Buchner P, King R, Ma H, Hawkesford MJ. Phylogeny and gene expression of the complete NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER FAMILY in Triticum aestivum. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:4531-4546. [PMID: 32462194 PMCID: PMC7382379 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
NPF genes encode membrane transporters involved in the transport of a large variety of substrates including nitrate and peptides. The NPF gene family has been described for many plants, but the whole NPF gene family for wheat has not been completely identified. The release of the wheat reference genome has enabled the identification of the entire wheat NPF gene family. A systematic analysis of the whole wheat NPF gene family was performed, including responses of specific gene expression to development and nitrogen supply. A total of 331 NPF genes (113 homoeologous groups) have been identified in wheat. The chromosomal location of the NPF genes is unevenly distributed, with predominant occurrence in the long arms of the chromosomes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that wheat NPF genes are closely clustered with Arabidopsis, Brachypodium, and rice orthologues, and subdivided into eight subfamilies. The expression profiles of wheat NPF genes were examined using RNA-seq data, and a subset of 44 NPF genes (homoeologous groups) with contrasting expression responses to nitrogen and/or development in different tissues were identified. The systematic identification of gene composition, chromosomal locations, evolutionary relationships, and expression profiles contributes to a better understanding of the roles of the wheat NPF genes and lays the foundation for further functional analysis in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huadun Wang
- Institute of Food Crops, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Peter Buchner
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Robert King
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, UK
| | - Hongxiang Ma
- Institute of Food Crops, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
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Padhan BK, Sathee L, Meena HS, Adavi SB, Jha SK, Chinnusamy V. CO 2 Elevation Accelerates Phenology and Alters Carbon/Nitrogen Metabolism vis-à-vis ROS Abundance in Bread Wheat. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:1061. [PMID: 32765552 PMCID: PMC7379427 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Wheat is an important staple food crop of the world and it accounts for 18-20% of human dietary protein. Recent reports suggest that CO2 elevation (CE) reduces grain protein and micronutrient content. In our earlier study, it was found that the enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) and the concomitant decrease in transcript abundance as well as activity of nitrate reductase (NR) and high affinity nitrate transporters (HATS) resulted in CE-mediated decrease in N metabolites in wheat seedlings. In the current study, two bread wheat genotypes Gluyas Early and B.T. Schomburgk differing in nitrate uptake and assimilation properties were evaluated for their response to CE. To understand the impact of low (LN), optimal (ON) and high (HN) nitrogen supply on plant growth, phenology, N and C metabolism, ROS and RNS signaling and yield, plants were evaluated under short term (hydroponics experiment) and long term (pot experiment) CE. CE improved growth, altered N assimilation, C/N ratio, N use efficiency (NUE) in B.T. Schomburgk. In general, CE decreased shoot N concentration and grain protein concentration in wheat irrespective of N supply. CE accelerated phenology and resulted in early flowering of both the wheat genotypes. Plants grown under CE showed higher levels of nitrosothiol and ROS, mainly under optimal and high nitrogen supply. Photorespiratory ammonia assimilating genes were down regulated by CE, whereas, expression of nitrate transporter/NPF genes were differentially regulated between genotypes by CE under different N availability. The response to CE was dependent on N supply as well as genotype. Hence, N fertilizer recommendation needs to be revised based on these variables for improving plant responses to N fertilization under a future CE scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birendra K. Padhan
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Lekshmy Sathee
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Hari S. Meena
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep B. Adavi
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Shailendra K. Jha
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Viswanathan Chinnusamy
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
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Sinha SK, Kumar A, Tyagi A, Venkatesh K, Paul D, Singh NK, Mandal PK. Root architecture traits variation and nitrate-influx responses in diverse wheat genotypes under different external nitrogen concentrations. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2020; 148:246-259. [PMID: 31982860 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In order to identify the genetic variations in root system architecture traits and their probable association with high- and low-affinity nitrate transport system, we performed several experiments on a genetically diverse set of wheat genotypes grown under two external nitrogen levels (optimum and limited nitrate conditions) at two growth points of the seedling stage. Further, we also examined the nitrate uptake and its transport under different combinations of nitrate availability in the external media using 15N-labelled N-source (15NO3-), and gene expression pattern of different high- and low-affinity nitrate transporters. We observed that nitrate starvation invariably increases the total root size in all genotypes. However, the variation of component traits of total root size under nitrate starvation is genotype-specific at both stages. Further, we also observed genotypic variation in both nitrate uptake and translocation depending on the growth stage, external nitrate concentration and growing conditions. The expression of the TaNRT2.1 gene was invariably up-regulated under low external nitrate concentration; however, it gets reduced after a longer period (21 days) of starvation than the early stage (14 days). Among the four NRT1.1 orthologs, TaNPF6.3 and TaNPF6.4 consistently showed higher expression than TaNPF6.1 and TaNPF6.2 at higher nitrate concentration at both the growth stages. TaNPF6.3 and TaNPF6.4 apparently showed a feature of typical low-affinity nitrate transporter gene at higher external nitrate concentration at 14 and 21 days growth stages, respectively. The present study reveals the complex root system of wheat that has genotype-specific N-foraging along with highly coordinated high- and low-affinity nitrate transport systems for nitrate uptake and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subodh Kumar Sinha
- ICAR- National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 11012, India.
| | - Amresh Kumar
- ICAR- National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 11012, India
| | - Akanksha Tyagi
- ICAR- National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 11012, India
| | - Karnam Venkatesh
- ICAR- Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, 132001, India
| | - Debajyoti Paul
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur, 208016, India
| | - Nagendra Kumar Singh
- ICAR- National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 11012, India
| | - Pranab Kumar Mandal
- ICAR- National Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 11012, India
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15
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Li W, He X, Chen Y, Jing Y, Shen C, Yang J, Teng W, Zhao X, Hu W, Hu M, Li H, Miller AJ, Tong Y. A wheat transcription factor positively sets seed vigour by regulating the grain nitrate signal. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 225:1667-1680. [PMID: 31581317 PMCID: PMC7004088 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Seed vigour and early establishment are important factors determining the yield of crops. A wheat nitrate-inducible NAC transcription factor, TaNAC2, plays a critical role in promoting crop growth and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and now its role in seed vigour is revealed. A TaNAC2 regulated gene was identified that is a NRT2-type nitrate transporter TaNRT2.5 with a key role in seed vigour. Overexpressing TaNAC2-5A increases grain nitrate concentration and seed vigour by directly binding to the promoter of TaNRT2.5-3B and positively regulating its expression. TaNRT2.5 is expressed in developing grain, particularly the embryo and husk. In Xenopus oocyte assays TaNRT2.5 requires a partner protein TaNAR2.1 to give nitrate transport activity, and the transporter locates to the tonoplast in a tobacco leaf transient expression system. Furthermore, in the root TaNRT2.5 and TaNRT2.1 function in post-anthesis acquisition of soil nitrate. Overexpression of TaNRT2.5-3B increases seed vigour, grain nitrate concentration and yield, whereas RNA interference of TaNRT2.5 has the opposite effects. The TaNAC2-NRT2.5 module has a key role in regulating grain nitrate accumulation and seed vigour. Both genes can potentially be used to improve grain yield and NUE in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Li
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
- CAS‐JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS)Shanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)Shanghai200032China
| | - Xue He
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- CAS‐JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS)Shanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)Shanghai200032China
| | - Yi Chen
- CAS‐JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS)Shanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)Shanghai200032China
- Department of Metabolic BiologyJohn Innes CentreNorwich Research ParkNorwichNR4 7UHUK
| | - Yanfu Jing
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Chuncai Shen
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Junbo Yang
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Wan Teng
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
| | - Xueqiang Zhao
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
| | - Weijuan Hu
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
| | - Mengyun Hu
- The Institute for Cereal and Oil CropsHebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesShijiazhuang050035China
| | - Hui Li
- The Institute for Cereal and Oil CropsHebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry SciencesShijiazhuang050035China
| | - Anthony J. Miller
- CAS‐JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS)Shanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)Shanghai200032China
- Department of Metabolic BiologyJohn Innes CentreNorwich Research ParkNorwichNR4 7UHUK
| | - Yiping Tong
- The State Key Laboratory for Plant Cell and Chromosome EngineeringInstitute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyThe Innovative Academy of Seed DesignChinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100101China
- CAS‐JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS)Shanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)Shanghai200032China
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Jiang J, Zhao J, Duan W, Tian S, Wang X, Zhuang H, Fu J, Kang Z. TaAMT2;3a, a wheat AMT2-type ammonium transporter, facilitates the infection of stripe rust fungus on wheat. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 19:239. [PMID: 31170918 PMCID: PMC6554902 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-1841-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ammonium transporters (AMTs), a family of proteins transporting ammonium salt and its analogues, have been studied in many aspects. Although numerous studies have found that ammonium affects the interaction between plants and pathogens, the role of AMTs remains largely unknown, especially that of the AMT2-type AMTs. RESULTS In the present study, we found that the concentration of ammonium in wheat leaves decreased after infection with Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), the causal agent of stripe rust. Then, an AMT2-type ammonium transporter gene induced by Pst was identified and designated as TaAMT2;3a. Transient expression assays indicated that TaAMT2;3a was located to the cell and nuclear membranes. TaAMT2;3a successfully complemented the function of a yeast mutant defective in NH4+ transport, indicating its ammonium transport capacity. Function of TaAMT2;3a in wheat-Pst interaction was further analyzed by barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)-induced gene silencing. Pst growth was significantly retarded in TaAMT2;3a-knockdown plants, in which ammonium in leaves were shown to be induced at the early stage of infection. Histological observation showed that the hyphal length, the number of hyphal branches and haustorial mother cells decreased in the TaAMT2;3a knockdown plants, leading to the impeded growth of rust pathogens. CONCLUSIONS The results clearly indicate that the induction of AMT2-type ammonium transporter gene TaAMT2;3a may facilitates the nitrogen uptake from wheat leaves by Pst, thereby contribute to the infection of rust fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junpeng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Wanlu Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Song Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Hua Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhensheng Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas and College of Plant Protection, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi People’s Republic of China
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