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Khramov DE, Rostovtseva EI, Matalin DA, Konoshenkova AO, Nedelyaeva OI, Volkov VS, Balnokin YV, Popova LG. Novel Proteins of the High-Affinity Nitrate Transporter Family NRT2, SaNRT2.1 and SaNRT2.5, from the Euhalophyte Suaeda altissima: Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5648. [PMID: 38891835 PMCID: PMC11171637 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115648] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Two genes of nitrate transporters SaNRT2.1 and SaNRT2.5, putative orthologs of high-affinity nitrate transporter genes AtNRT2.1 and AtNRT2.5 from Arabidopsis thaliana, were cloned from the euhalophyte Suaeda altissima. Phylogenetic bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that the proteins SaNRT2.1 and SaNRT2.5 exhibited higher levels of homology to the corresponding proteins from the plants of family Amaranthaceae; the similarity of amino acid sequences between proteins SaNRT2.1 and SaNRT2.5 was lower (54%). Both SaNRT2.1 and SaNRT2.5 are integral membrane proteins forming 12 transmembrane helices as predicted by topological modeling. An attempt to demonstrate nitrate transporting activity of SaNRT2.1 or SaNRT2.5 by heterologous expression of the genes in the yeast Hansenula (Ogataea) polymorpha mutant strain Δynt1 lacking the only yeast nitrate transporter was not successful. The expression patterns of SaNRT2.1 and SaNRT2.5 were studied in S. altissima plants that were grown in hydroponics under either low (0.5 mM) or high (15 mM) nitrate and salinity from 0 to 750 mM NaCl. The growth of the plants was strongly inhibited by low nitrogen supply while stimulated by NaCl; it peaked at 250 mM NaCl for high nitrate and at 500 mM NaCl for low nitrate. Under low nitrate supply, nitrate contents in S. altissima roots, leaves and stems were reduced but increased in leaves and stems as salinity in the medium increased. Potassium contents remained stable under salinity treatment from 250 to 750 mM NaCl. Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that without salinity, SaNRT2.1 was expressed in all organs, its expression was not influenced by nitrate supply, while SaNRT2.5 was expressed exclusively in roots-its expression rose about 10-fold under low nitrate. Salinity increased expression of both SaNRT2.1 and SaNRT2.5 under low nitrate. SaNRT2.1 peaked in roots at 500 mM NaCl with 15-fold increase; SaNRT2.5 peaked in roots at 500 mM NaCl with 150-fold increase. It is suggested that SaNRT2.5 ensures effective nitrate uptake by roots and functions as an essential high-affinity nitrate transporter to support growth of adult S. altissima plants under nitrogen deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Vadim S. Volkov
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127276, Russia; (D.E.K.); (E.I.R.); (D.A.M.); (A.O.K.); (O.I.N.); (Y.V.B.)
| | | | - Larissa G. Popova
- K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127276, Russia; (D.E.K.); (E.I.R.); (D.A.M.); (A.O.K.); (O.I.N.); (Y.V.B.)
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Zhao B, Jia X, Yu N, Murray JD, Yi K, Wang E. Microbe-dependent and independent nitrogen and phosphate acquisition and regulation in plants. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:1507-1522. [PMID: 37715479 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the most important macronutrients required for plant growth and development. To cope with the limited and uneven distribution of N and P in complicated soil environments, plants have evolved intricate molecular strategies to improve nutrient acquisition that involve adaptive root development, production of root exudates, and the assistance of microbes. Recently, great advances have been made in understanding the regulation of N and P uptake and utilization and how plants balance the direct uptake of nutrients from the soil with the nutrient acquisition from beneficial microbes such as arbuscular mycorrhiza. Here, we summarize the major advances in these areas and highlight plant responses to changes in nutrient availability in the external environment through local and systemic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resource and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, SIBS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xianqing Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Nan Yu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200234, China
| | - Jeremy D Murray
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, SIBS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Keke Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Ertao Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, SIBS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518054, China
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Wang Y, Liu H, Bai L, Liu R, Jiang H, Tan J, Chen J. Overexpression of OsNAR2.1 by OsNAR2.1 promoter increases drought resistance by increasing the expression of OsPLDα1 in rice. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:321. [PMID: 38654179 PMCID: PMC11040742 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 expression could significantly increase nitrogen uptake efficiency and grain yield of rice. RESULT This study reported the effects of overexpression of OsNAR2.1 by OsNAR2.1 promoter on physiological and agronomic traits associated with drought tolerance. In comparison to the wild-type (WT), the pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 transgenic lines exhibited a significant improvement in survival rate when subjected to drought stress and then irrigation. Under limited water supply conditions, compared with WT, the photosynthesis and water use efficiency (WUE) of transgenic lines were increased by 39.2% and 28.8%, respectively. Finally, the transgenic lines had 25.5% and 66.4% higher grain yield than the WT under full watering and limited water supply conditions, respectively. Compared with the WT, the agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of transgenic lines increased by 25.5% and 66.4% under full watering and limited water supply conditions, and the N recovery efficiency of transgenic lines increased by 29.3% and 50.2%, respectively. The interaction between OsNAR2.1 protein and OsPLDα1 protein was verified by yeast hybrids. After drought treatment, PLDα activity on the plasma membrane of the transgenic line increased 85.0% compared with WT. CONCLUSION These results indicated that pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 expression could improve the drought resistance of rice by increasing nitrogen uptake and regulating the expression of OsPLDα1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamei Wang
- School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- School of Breeding and Multiplication (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication), Hainan University, Sanya, Hainan, 572025, China
| | - Lu Bai
- School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, China
| | - Ruifang Liu
- The High School Affiliated to Renmin, University of China, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518119, China
| | - Hongzhen Jiang
- School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, China
| | - Jinfang Tan
- School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, China
| | - Jingguang Chen
- School of Agriculture, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518107, China.
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Li Z, Na Wu X, Jacquot A, Chaput V, Adamo M, Neuhäuser B, Straub T, Lejay L, Schulze WX. Phosphoregulation in the N-terminus of NRT2.1 affects nitrate uptake by controlling the interaction of NRT2.1 with NAR2.1 and kinase HPCAL1 in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:2127-2142. [PMID: 38066636 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
NRT2.1, the major high affinity nitrate transporter in roots, can be phosphorylated at five different sites within the N- and the C-terminus. Here, we characterized the functional relationship of two N-terminal phosphorylation sites, S21 and S28, in Arabidopsis. Based on a site-specific correlation network, we identified a receptor kinase (HPCAL1, AT5G49770), phosphorylating NRT2.1 at S21 and resulting in active nitrate uptake. HPCAL1 itself was regulated by phosphorylation at S839 and S870 within its kinase domain. In the active state, when S839 was dephosphorylated and S870 was phosphorylated, HPCAL1 was found to interact with the N-terminus of NRT2.1, mainly when S28 was dephosphorylated. Phosphorylation of NRT2.1 at S21 resulted in a reduced interaction of NRT2.1 with its activator NAR2.1, but nitrate transport activity remained. By contrast, phosphorylated NRT2.1 at S28 enhanced the interaction with NAR2.1, but reduced the interaction with HPCAL1. Here we identified HPCAL1 as the kinase affecting this phospho-switch through phosphorylation of NRT2.1 at S21.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Li
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Xu Na Wu
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Aurore Jacquot
- BPMP, University Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Valentin Chaput
- BPMP, University Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Mattia Adamo
- BPMP, University Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Benjamin Neuhäuser
- Department of Crop Physiology, University of Hohenheim, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tatsiana Straub
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Laurence Lejay
- BPMP, University Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Waltraud X Schulze
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
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Zhang Z, Diao R, Sun J, Liu Y, Zhao M, Wang Q, Xu Z, Zhong B. Diversified molecular adaptations of inorganic nitrogen assimilation and signaling machineries in plants. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:2108-2123. [PMID: 38155438 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Plants evolved sophisticated machineries to monitor levels of external nitrogen supply, respond to nitrogen demand from different tissues and integrate this information for coordinating its assimilation. Although roles of inorganic nitrogen in orchestrating developments have been studied in model plants and crops, systematic understanding of the origin and evolution of its assimilation and signaling machineries remains largely unknown. We expanded taxon samplings of algae and early-diverging land plants, covering all main lineages of Archaeplastida, and reconstructed the evolutionary history of core components involved in inorganic nitrogen assimilation and signaling. Most components associated with inorganic nitrogen assimilation were derived from the ancestral Archaeplastida. Improvements of assimilation machineries by gene duplications and horizontal gene transfers were evident during plant terrestrialization. Clusterization of genes encoding nitrate assimilation proteins might be an adaptive strategy for algae to cope with changeable nitrate availability in different habitats. Green plants evolved complex nitrate signaling machinery that was stepwise improved by domains shuffling and regulation co-option. Our study highlights innovations in inorganic nitrogen assimilation and signaling machineries, ranging from molecular modifications of proteins to genomic rearrangements, which shaped developmental and metabolic adaptations of plants to changeable nutrient availability in environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Runjie Diao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jingyan Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yannan Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Mengru Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qiuping Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zilong Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Bojian Zhong
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Jain D, Schmidt W. Protein Phosphorylation Orchestrates Acclimations of Arabidopsis Plants to Environmental pH. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100685. [PMID: 38000714 PMCID: PMC10837763 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Environment pH (pHe) is a key parameter dictating a surfeit of conditions critical to plant survival and fitness. To elucidate the mechanisms that recalibrate cytoplasmic and apoplastic pH homeostasis, we conducted a comprehensive proteomic/phosphoproteomic inventory of plants subjected to transient exposure to acidic or alkaline pH, an approach that covered the majority of protein-coding genes of the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our survey revealed a large set-of so far undocumented pHe-dependent phospho-sites, indicative of extensive post-translational regulation of proteins involved in the acclimation to pHe. Changes in pHe altered both electrogenic H+ pumping via P-type ATPases and H+/anion co-transport processes, putatively leading to altered net trans-plasma membrane translocation of H+ ions. In pH 7.5 plants, the transport (but not the assimilation) of nitrogen via NRT2-type nitrate and AMT1-type ammonium transporters was induced, conceivably to increase the cytosolic H+ concentration. Exposure to both acidic and alkaline pH resulted in a marked repression of primary root elongation. No such cessation was observed in nrt2.1 mutants. Alkaline pH decreased the number of root hairs in the wild type but not in nrt2.1 plants, supporting a role of NRT2.1 in developmental signaling. Sequestration of iron into the vacuole via alterations in protein abundance of the vacuolar iron transporter VTL5 was inversely regulated in response to high and low pHe, presumptively in anticipation of associated changes in iron availability. A pH-dependent phospho-switch was also observed for the ABC transporter PDR7, suggesting changes in activity and, possibly, substrate specificity. Unexpectedly, the effect of pHe was not restricted to roots and provoked pronounced changes in the shoot proteome. In both roots and shoots, the plant-specific TPLATE complex components AtEH1 and AtEH2-essential for clathrin-mediated endocytosis-were differentially phosphorylated at multiple sites in response to pHe, indicating that the endocytic cargo protein trafficking is orchestrated by pHe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharmesh Jain
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichun, Taiwan; Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Zayed O, Hewedy OA, Abdelmoteleb A, Ali M, Youssef MS, Roumia AF, Seymour D, Yuan ZC. Nitrogen Journey in Plants: From Uptake to Metabolism, Stress Response, and Microbe Interaction. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1443. [PMID: 37892125 PMCID: PMC10605003 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants uptake and assimilate nitrogen from the soil in the form of nitrate, ammonium ions, and available amino acids from organic sources. Plant nitrate and ammonium transporters are responsible for nitrate and ammonium translocation from the soil into the roots. The unique structure of these transporters determines the specificity of each transporter, and structural analyses reveal the mechanisms by which these transporters function. Following absorption, the nitrogen metabolism pathway incorporates the nitrogen into organic compounds via glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase that convert ammonium ions into glutamine and glutamate. Different isoforms of glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase exist, enabling plants to fine-tune nitrogen metabolism based on environmental cues. Under stressful conditions, nitric oxide has been found to enhance plant survival under drought stress. Furthermore, the interaction between salinity stress and nitrogen availability in plants has been studied, with nitric oxide identified as a potential mediator of responses to salt stress. Conversely, excessive use of nitrate fertilizers can lead to health and environmental issues. Therefore, alternative strategies, such as establishing nitrogen fixation in plants through diazotrophic microbiota, have been explored to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Ultimately, genomics can identify new genes related to nitrogen fixation, which could be harnessed to improve plant productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Zayed
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 9250, USA;
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom 32511, Egypt;
| | - Omar A. Hewedy
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom 32511, Egypt;
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Ali Abdelmoteleb
- Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom 32511, Egypt;
| | - Mohammed Ali
- Maryout Research Station, Genetic Resources Department, Desert Research Center, 1 Mathaf El-Matarya St., El-Matareya, Cairo 11753, Egypt;
| | - Mohamed S. Youssef
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt;
- Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Ahmed F. Roumia
- Department of Agricultural Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom 32514, Egypt;
| | - Danelle Seymour
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 9250, USA;
| | - Ze-Chun Yuan
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 1391 Sandford Street, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
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Bailey M, Hsieh EJ, Tsai HH, Ravindran A, Schmidt W. Alkalinity modulates a unique suite of genes to recalibrate growth and pH homeostasis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1100701. [PMID: 37457359 PMCID: PMC10348880 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1100701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Alkaline soils pose a conglomerate of constraints to plants, restricting the growth and fitness of non-adapted species in habitats with low active proton concentrations. To thrive under such conditions, plants have to compensate for a potential increase in cytosolic pH and restricted softening of the cell wall to invigorate cell elongation in a proton-depleted environment. To discern mechanisms that aid in the adaptation to external pH, we grew plants on media with pH values ranging from 5.5 to 8.5. Growth was severely restricted above pH 6.5 and associated with decreasing chlorophyll levels at alkaline pH. Bicarbonate treatment worsened plant performance, suggesting effects that differ from those exerted by pH as such. Transcriptional profiling of roots subjected to short-term transfer from optimal (pH 5.5) to alkaline (pH 7.5) media unveiled a large set of differentially expressed genes that were partially congruent with genes affected by low pH, bicarbonate, and nitrate, but showed only a very small overlap with genes responsive to the availability of iron. Further analysis of selected genes disclosed pronounced responsiveness of their expression over a wide range of external pH values. Alkalinity altered the expression of various proton/anion co-transporters, possibly to recalibrate cellular proton homeostasis. Co-expression analysis of pH-responsive genes identified a module of genes encoding proteins with putative functions in the regulation of root growth, which appears to be conserved in plants subjected to low pH or bicarbonate. Our analysis provides an inventory of pH-sensitive genes and allows comprehensive insights into processes that are orchestrated by external pH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitylene Bailey
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - En-Jung Hsieh
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Hsuan Tsai
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Arya Ravindran
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Genome and Systems Biology Degree Program, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Choi SJ, Lee Z, Jeong E, Kim S, Seo JS, Um T, Shim JS. Signaling pathways underlying nitrogen transport and metabolism in plants. BMB Rep 2023; 56:56-64. [PMID: 36658636 PMCID: PMC9978367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient required for plant growth and crop production. However, N in soil is usually insufficient for plant growth. Thus, chemical N fertilizer has been extensively used to increase crop production. Due to negative effects of N rich fertilizer on the environment, improving N usage has been a major issue in the field of plant science to achieve sustainable production of crops. For that reason, many efforts have been made to elucidate how plants regulate N uptake and utilization according to their surrounding habitat over the last 30 years. Here, we provide recent advances focusing on regulation of N uptake, allocation of N by N transporting system, and signaling pathway controlling N responses in plants. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(2): 56-64].
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Jeong Choi
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Zion Lee
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Eui Jeong
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Sohyun Kim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
| | - Jun Sung Seo
- Crop Biotechnology Institute, Green Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Korea
| | - Taeyoung Um
- Agriculture and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea
| | - Jae Sung Shim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea,Corresponding author. Tel: +82-62-530-0507; Fax: +82-62-530-2199; E-mail:
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Liao B, Wang C, Li X, Man Y, Ruan H, Zhao Y. Genome-wide analysis of the Populus trichocarpa laccase gene family and functional identification of PtrLAC23. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1063813. [PMID: 36733583 PMCID: PMC9887407 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1063813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Biofuel is a kind of sustainable, renewable and environment friendly energy. Lignocellulose from the stems of woody plants is the main raw material for "second generation biofuels". Lignin content limits fermentation yield and is therefore a major obstacle in biofuel production. Plant laccase plays an important role in the final step of lignin formation, which provides a new strategy for us to obtain ideal biofuels by regulating the expression of laccase genes to directly gain the desired lignin content or change the composition of lignin. METHODS Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis were used to classify PtrLAC genes; sequence features of PtrLACs were revealed by gene structure and motif composition analysis; gene duplication, interspecific collinearity and Ka/Ks analysis were conducted to identify ancient PtrLACs; expression levels of PtrLAC genes were measured by RNA-Seq data and qRT-PCR; domain analysis combine with cis-acting elements prediction together showed the potential function of PtrLACs. Furthermore, Alphafold2 was used to simulate laccase 3D structures, proLAC23::LAC23-eGFP transgenic Populus stem transects were applied to fluorescence observation. RESULTS A comprehensive analysis of the P. trichocarpa laccase gene (PtLAC) family was performed. Some ancient PtrLAC genes such as PtrLAC25, PtrLAC19 and PtrLAC41 were identified. Gene structure and distribution of conserved motifs clearly showed sequence characteristics of each PtrLAC. Combining published RNA-Seq data and qRT-PCR analysis, we revealed the expression pattern of PtrLAC gene family. Prediction results of cis-acting elements show that PtrLAC gene regulation was closely related to light. Through above analyses, we selected 5 laccases and used Alphafold2 to simulate protein 3D structures, results showed that PtrLAC23 may be closely related to the lignification. Fluorescence observation of proLAC23::LAC23-eGFP transgenic Populus stem transects and qRT-PCR results confirmed our hypothesis again. DISCUSSION In this study, we fully analyzed the Populus trichocarpa laccase gene family and identified key laccase genes related to lignification. These findings not only provide new insights into the characteristics and functions of Populus laccase, but also give a new understanding of the broad prospects of plant laccase in lignocellulosic biofuel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyang Liao
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Chencan Wang
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxu Li
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Man
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Ruan
- School of Cyber Science and Technology, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- College of Biological Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Tree Breeding and Ecological Restoration, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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Sinsirimongkol K, Buasong A, Teppabut Y, Pholmanee N, Chen Y, Miller AJ, Punyasuk N. EgNRT2.3 and EgNAR2 expression are controlled by nitrogen deprivation and encode proteins that function as a two-component nitrate uptake system in oil palm. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 279:153833. [PMID: 36257088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2022.153833] [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: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is an important crop for oil and biodiesel production. Oil palm plantations require extensive fertilizer additions to achieve a high yield. Fertilizer application decisions and management for oil palm farming rely on leaf tissue and soil nutrient analyses with little information available to describe the key players for nutrient uptake. A molecular understanding of how nutrients, especially nitrogen (N), are taken up in oil palm is very important to improve fertilizer use and formulation practice in oil palm plantations. In this work, two nitrate uptake genes in oil palm, EgNRT2.3 and EgNAR2, were cloned and characterized. Spatial expression analysis showed high expression of these two genes was mainly found in un-lignified young roots. Interestingly, EgNRT2.3 and EgNAR2 were up-regulated by N deprivation, but their expression pattern depended on the form of N source. Promoter analysis of these two genes confirmed the presence of regulatory elements that support these expression patterns. The Xenopus oocyte assay showed that EgNRT2.3 and EgNAR2 had to act together to take up nitrate. The results suggest that EgNRT2.3 and EgNAR2 act as a two-component nitrate uptake system in oil palm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Atcharaporn Buasong
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Yada Teppabut
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Nutthida Pholmanee
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Anthony J Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Napassorn Punyasuk
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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12
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Pisum sativum Response to Nitrate as Affected by Rhizobium leguminosarum-Derived Signals. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11151966. [PMID: 35956443 PMCID: PMC9370569 DOI: 10.3390/plants11151966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Legumes are suitable for the development of sustainable agroecosystems because of their ability to use atmospheric N2 through symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF). However, a basic NO3− input is necessary before SNF takes place to ensure successful seedling establishment. Since Rhizobia not only induce nodulation but also affect root branching by stimulating the development of lateral roots, and NO3− as a signal also modulates root system architecture, we investigated whether Rhizobium-derived signals interfere in nitrate signaling. Here, we bring evidence that (i) Rhizobium-altered NO3−-mediated processes in pea expressions of major players in NO3− transport, sensing, and signaling were affected, and (ii) the characteristic limitation of root foraging and branching in response to NO3− supply was abolished. The number of tertiary roots per secondary root was higher in infected compared to uninfected peas, thus indicating that the Rhizobium effect allows for favorable management of trade-offs between nodules growth for nitrogen capture and root foraging for water and other nutrient uptake in pea. The outcome of this basic research can be used to produce molecular tools for breeding pea genotypes able to develop deep-foraging and branched root systems, and more competitive architectures and molecular levels for soil NO3− absorption during seedling establishment without jeopardizing nodulation.
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13
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Root nitrate uptake in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is modulated by transcriptional and presumably posttranscriptional regulation of the NRT2.1/NRT3.1 transport system. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:1403-1421. [PMID: 35879567 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01929-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE Nitrate uptake in sugarcane roots is regulated at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels based on the physiological status of the plant and is likely a determinant mechanism for discrimination against nitrate. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is one of the most suitable energy crops for biofuel feedstock, but the reduced recovery of nitrogen (N) fertilizer by sugarcane roots increases the crop carbon footprint. The low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of sugarcane has been associated with the significantly low nitrate uptake, which limits the utilization of the large amount of nitrate available in agricultural soils. To understand the regulation of nitrate uptake in sugarcane roots, we identified the major canonical nitrate transporter genes (NRTs-NITRATE TRANSPORTERS) and then determined their expression profiles in roots under contrasting N conditions. Correlation of gene expression with 15N-nitrate uptake revealed that under N deprivation or inorganic N (ammonium or nitrate) supply in N-sufficient roots, the regulation of ScNRT2.1 and ScNRT3.1 expression is the predominant mechanism for the modulation of the activity of the nitrate high-affinity transport system. Conversely, in N-deficient roots, the induction of ScNRT2.1 and ScNRT3.1 transcription is not correlated with the marked repression of nitrate uptake in response to nitrate resupply or high N provision, which suggested the existence of a posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism. Our findings suggested that high-affinity nitrate uptake is regulated at the transcriptional and presumably at the posttranscriptional levels based on the physiological N status and that the regulation of NRT2.1 and NRT3.1 activity is likely a determinant mechanism for the discrimination against nitrate uptake observed in sugarcane roots, which contributes to the low NUE in this crop species.
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14
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Zhao Z, Li M, Xu W, Liu JH, Li C. Genome-Wide Identification of NRT Gene Family and Expression Analysis of Nitrate Transporters in Response to Salt Stress in Poncirus trifoliata. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071115. [PMID: 35885900 PMCID: PMC9323722 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The uptake and transportation of nitrate play a crucial role in plant growth and development. These processes mostly depend on nitrate transporters (NRT), which guarantee the supplement of nutrition in the plant. In this study, genes encoding NRT with Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) domain were identified in trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.). Totally, 56 NRT1s, 6 NRT2s, and 2 NAR2s were explored. The bioinformation analysis, including protein characteristics, conserved domain, motif, phylogenetic relationship, cis-acting element, and synteny correlation, indicated the evolutionary conservation and functional diversity of NRT genes. Additionally, expression profiles of PtrNRTs in different tissues demonstrated that NRT genes possessed spatio-temporal expression specificity. Further, the salt condition was certified to induce the expression of some NRT members, like PtrNPF2.1, PtrNPF7.4, and PtrNAR2.1, proposing the potential role of these NRTs in salt stress response. The identification of NRT genes and the expression pattern analysis in various tissues and salt stress lay a foundation for future research between nitrogen transport and salt resistance in P. trifoliata.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeqi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Z.Z.); (M.L.); (W.X.); (J.-H.L.)
| | - Mengdi Li
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Z.Z.); (M.L.); (W.X.); (J.-H.L.)
| | - Weiwei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Z.Z.); (M.L.); (W.X.); (J.-H.L.)
| | - Ji-Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Z.Z.); (M.L.); (W.X.); (J.-H.L.)
| | - Chunlong Li
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (MOE), College of Horticulture and Forestry Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (Z.Z.); (M.L.); (W.X.); (J.-H.L.)
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan 430070, China
- Correspondence:
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15
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McDonald TR, Rizvi MF, Ruiter BL, Roy R, Reinders A, Ward JM. Posttranslational regulation of transporters important for symbiotic interactions. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 188:941-954. [PMID: 34850211 PMCID: PMC8825328 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Coordinated sharing of nutritional resources is a central feature of symbiotic interactions, and, despite the importance of this topic, many questions remain concerning the identification, activity, and regulation of transporter proteins involved. Recent progress in obtaining genome and transcriptome sequences for symbiotic organisms provides a wealth of information on plant, fungal, and bacterial transporters that can be applied to these questions. In this update, we focus on legume-rhizobia and mycorrhizal symbioses and how transporters at the symbiotic interfaces can be regulated at the protein level. We point out areas where more research is needed and ways that an understanding of transporter mechanism and energetics can focus hypotheses. Protein phosphorylation is a predominant mechanism of posttranslational regulation of transporters in general and at the symbiotic interface specifically. Other mechanisms of transporter regulation, such as protein-protein interaction, including transporter multimerization, polar localization, and regulation by pH and membrane potential are also important at the symbiotic interface. Most of the transporters that function in the symbiotic interface are members of transporter families; we bring in relevant information on posttranslational regulation within transporter families to help generate hypotheses for transporter regulation at the symbiotic interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tami R McDonald
- Department of Biology, St Catherine University, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Madeeha F Rizvi
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Bretton L Ruiter
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rahul Roy
- Department of Biology, St Catherine University, St Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Anke Reinders
- College of Continuing and Professional Studies, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - John M Ward
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Author for communication:
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16
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Genome-wide identification of nitrate transporter 2 (NRT2) gene family and functional analysis of MeNRT2.2 in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Gene 2022; 809:146038. [PMID: 34688819 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.146038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nitrate transporter 2 (NRT2) proteins play an important role in nitrate uptake and utilization in plants. The NRT2 family has been identified and functionally characterized in many plants. However, no systematic identification of NRT2 family members has been reported in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). In this study, six MeNRT2 genes were identified from cassava genome and named as MeNRT2.1-2.6 according to their chromosomal locations. Phylogenetic tree showed that NRT2 proteins were divided into four main subgroups, which was further supported by their gene structure and conserved motifs. All six MeNRT2 genes are randomly distributed on 4 chromosomes (LG8, LG11, LG13, and LG17), two tandem duplicated genes (MeNRT2.3/MeNRT2.4) and a pair of segmental duplicated gene (MeNRT2.1/MeNRT2.2) was detected. Subsequently, expression profiles of MeNRT2 genes in eight different tissues and in response to nitrate deficient treatment were analyzed. The results showed that the MeNRT2 genes had differential expression patterns. All of MeNRT2 genes induced by nitrate deficiency, of them the MeNRT2.2 had the highest expression level after treatment. Arabidopis transformed with MeNRT2.2 gene showed higher fresh weight than wild type plants in response to N starvation, suggesting that MeNRT2.2 play important role in adapting to low nitrogen. Taken together, our results provide the reference for further analyses of the molecular functions of the MeNRT2 gene family, but also some candidate genes for developing nitrogen efficient crops.
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17
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Noncoding-RNA-Mediated Regulation in Response to Macronutrient Stress in Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011205. [PMID: 34681864 PMCID: PMC8539900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Macronutrient elements including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) are required in relatively large and steady amounts for plant growth and development. Deficient or excessive supply of macronutrients from external environments may trigger a series of plant responses at phenotypic and molecular levels during the entire life cycle. Among the intertwined molecular networks underlying plant responses to macronutrient stress, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), mainly microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), may serve as pivotal regulators for the coordination between nutrient supply and plant demand, while the responsive ncRNA-target module and the interactive mechanism vary among elements and species. Towards a comprehensive identification and functional characterization of nutrient-responsive ncRNAs and their downstream molecules, high-throughput sequencing has produced massive omics data for comparative expression profiling as a first step. In this review, we highlight the recent findings of ncRNA-mediated regulation in response to macronutrient stress, with special emphasis on the large-scale sequencing efforts for screening out candidate nutrient-responsive ncRNAs in plants, and discuss potential improvements in theoretical study to provide better guidance for crop breeding practices.
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18
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Safi A, Medici A, Szponarski W, Martin F, Clément-Vidal A, Marshall-Colon A, Ruffel S, Gaymard F, Rouached H, Leclercq J, Coruzzi G, Lacombe B, Krouk G. GARP transcription factors repress Arabidopsis nitrogen starvation response via ROS-dependent and -independent pathways. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:3881-3901. [PMID: 33758916 PMCID: PMC8096604 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Plants need to cope with strong variations of nitrogen availability in the soil. Although many molecular players are being discovered concerning how plants perceive NO3- provision, it is less clear how plants recognize a lack of nitrogen. Following nitrogen removal, plants activate their nitrogen starvation response (NSR), which is characterized by the activation of very high-affinity nitrate transport systems (NRT2.4 and NRT2.5) and other sentinel genes involved in N remobilization such as GDH3. Using a combination of functional genomics via transcription factor perturbation and molecular physiology studies, we show that the transcription factors belonging to the HHO subfamily are important regulators of NSR through two potential mechanisms. First, HHOs directly repress the high-affinity nitrate transporters, NRT2.4 and NRT2.5. hho mutants display increased high-affinity nitrate transport activity, opening up promising perspectives for biotechnological applications. Second, we show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important to control NSR in wild-type plants and that HRS1 and HHO1 overexpressors and mutants are affected in their ROS content, defining a potential feed-forward branch of the signaling pathway. Taken together, our results define the relationships of two types of molecular players controlling the NSR, namely ROS and the HHO transcription factors. This work (i) up opens perspectives on a poorly understood nutrient-related signaling pathway and (ii) defines targets for molecular breeding of plants with enhanced NO3- uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaeddine Safi
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRA, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Correspondence: or
| | - Anna Medici
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRA, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Florence Martin
- CIRAD, AGAP Institut, Montpellier, France
- AGAP Institut, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
| | - Anne Clément-Vidal
- CIRAD, AGAP Institut, Montpellier, France
- AGAP Institut, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
| | - Amy Marshall-Colon
- New York University, Department of Biology, Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York, NY, USA
- Present address: Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Sandrine Ruffel
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRA, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Gaymard
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRA, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Hatem Rouached
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRA, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
- Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, and Plant Resilience Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Julie Leclercq
- CIRAD, AGAP Institut, Montpellier, France
- AGAP Institut, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, Montpellier, France
| | - Gloria Coruzzi
- New York University, Department of Biology, Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benoît Lacombe
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRA, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Gabriel Krouk
- BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRA, SupAgro, Montpellier, France
- Correspondence: or
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19
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Nitrogen Uptake in Plants: The Plasma Membrane Root Transport Systems from a Physiological and Proteomic Perspective. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10040681. [PMID: 33916130 PMCID: PMC8066207 DOI: 10.3390/plants10040681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogen nutrition in plants is a key determinant in crop productivity. The availability of nitrogen nutrients in the soil, both inorganic (nitrate and ammonium) and organic (urea and free amino acids), highly differs and influences plant physiology, growth, metabolism, and root morphology. Deciphering this multifaceted scenario is mandatory to improve the agricultural sustainability. In root cells, specific proteins located at the plasma membrane play key roles in the transport and sensing of nitrogen forms. This review outlines the current knowledge regarding the biochemical and physiological aspects behind the uptake of the individual nitrogen forms, their reciprocal interactions, the influences on root system architecture, and the relations with other proteins sustaining fundamental plasma membrane functionalities, such as aquaporins and H+-ATPase. This topic is explored starting from the information achieved in the model plant Arabidopsis and moving to crops in agricultural soils. Moreover, the main contributions provided by proteomics are described in order to highlight the goals and pitfalls of this approach and to get new hints for future studies.
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Zheng L, Yang J, Chen Y, Ding L, Wei J, Wang H. An improved and efficient method of Agrobacterium syringe infiltration for transient transformation and its application in the elucidation of gene function in poplar. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2021; 21:54. [PMID: 33478390 PMCID: PMC7818742 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-021-02833-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forest trees have important economic and ecological value. As a model tree, poplar has played a significant role in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying tree biology. However, a lack of mutant libraries and time-consuming stable genetic transformation processes severely limit progress into the functional characterization of poplar genes. A convenient and fast transient transformation method is therefore needed to enhance progress on functional genomics in poplar. METHODS A total of 11 poplar clones were screened for amenability to syringe infiltration. Syringe infiltration was performed on the lower side of the leaves of young soil-grown plants. Transient expression was evaluated by visualizing the reporters β-glucuronidase (GUS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP). The experimental parameters of the syringe agroinfiltration were optimized based on the expression levels of the reporter luciferase (LUC). Stably transformed plants were regenerated from transiently transformed leaf explants through callus-induced organogenesis. The functions of Populus genes in secondary cell wall-thickening were characterized by visualizing lignin deposition therein after staining with basic fuchsin. RESULTS We greatly improved the transient transformation efficiency of syringe Agrobacterium infiltration in poplar through screening for a suitable poplar clone from a variety of clones and optimizing the syringe infiltration procedure. The selected poplar clone, Populus davidiana × P. bolleana, is amenable to Agrobacterium syringe infiltration, as indicated by the easy diffusion of the bacterial suspension inside the leaf tissues. Using this technique, we localized a variety of poplar proteins in specific intracellular organelles and illustrated the protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions. The transiently transformed leaves could be used to generate stably transformed plants with high efficiency through callus induction and differentiation processes. Furthermore, transdifferentiation of the protoxylem-like vessel element and ectopic secondary wall thickening were induced in the agroinfiltrated leaves via the transient overexpression of genes associated with secondary wall formation. CONCLUSIONS The application of P. davidiana × P. bolleana in Agrobacterium syringe infiltration provides a foundation for the rapid and high-throughput functional characterization of Populus genes in intact poplar plants, including those involved in wood formation, and provides an effective alternative to Populus stable genetic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zheng
- Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, No. 9, Shuguang Huayuan Middle Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100097, People's Republic of China
| | - Jixiu Yang
- Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, No. 9, Shuguang Huayuan Middle Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100097, People's Republic of China
- College of Bioscience and Resources Environment, Beijing University of Agriculture, No. 7, Beinong Road, Huilongguan, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajuan Chen
- Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, No. 9, Shuguang Huayuan Middle Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100097, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Ding
- Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, No. 9, Shuguang Huayuan Middle Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100097, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhua Wei
- Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, No. 9, Shuguang Huayuan Middle Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100097, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongzhi Wang
- Beijing Agro-Biotechnology Research Center, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, No. 9, Shuguang Huayuan Middle Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100097, People's Republic of China.
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21
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Rossdeutsch L, Schreiner RP, Skinkis PA, Deluc L. Nitrate Uptake and Transport Properties of Two Grapevine Rootstocks With Varying Vigor. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 11:608813. [PMID: 33537044 PMCID: PMC7847936 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.608813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In viticulture, rootstocks are essential to cope with edaphic constraints. They can also be used to modulate scion growth and development to help improve berry yield and quality. The rootstock contribution to scion growth is not fully understood. Since nitrogen (N) is a significant driver of grapevine growth, rootstock properties associated with N uptake and transport may play a key role in the growth potential of grafted grapevines. We evaluated N uptake and transport in a potted system using two grapevines rootstocks [Riparia Gloire (RG) and 1103 Paulsen (1103P)] grafted to Pinot noir (Pommard clone) scion. Combining results of nitrate induction and steady-state experiments at two N availability levels, we observed different responses in the uptake and utilization of N between the two rootstocks. The low vigor rootstock (RG) exhibited greater nitrate uptake capacity and nitrate assimilation in roots after nitrate resupply than the more vigorous 1103P rootstock. This behavior may be attributed to a greater root carbohydrate status observed in RG for both experiments. However, 1103P demonstrated a higher N translocation rate to shoots regardless of N availability. These distinct rootstock behaviors resulted in significant differences in biomass allocation between roots and shoots under N-limited conditions, although the overall vine biomass was not different. Under sufficient N supply, differences between rootstocks decreased but 1103P stored more N in roots, which may benefit growth in subsequent growing seasons. Overall, greater transpiration of vines grafted to 1103P rootstock causing higher N translocation to shoots could partially explain its known growth-promoting effect to scions under low and high N availability, whereas the low vigor typically conferred to scions by RG may result from the combination of lower N translocation to shoots and a greater allocation of biomass toward roots when N is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landry Rossdeutsch
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon Wine Research Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - R. Paul Schreiner
- USDA-ARS Horticulture Crops Research Unit, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Oregon Wine Research Institute, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Patricia A. Skinkis
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon Wine Research Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Oregon Wine Research Institute, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Laurent Deluc
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon Wine Research Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Oregon Wine Research Institute, Corvallis, OR, United States
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22
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Tian J, Pang Y, Zhao Z. Drought, Salinity, and Low Nitrogen Differentially Affect the Growth and Nitrogen Metabolism of Sophora japonica (L.) in a Semi-Hydroponic Phenotyping Platform. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:715456. [PMID: 34671370 PMCID: PMC8522681 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.715456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Abiotic stresses, such as salinity, drought, and nutrient deficiency adversely affect nitrogen (N) uptake and assimilation in plants. However, the regulation of N metabolism and N pathway genes in Sophora japonica under abiotic stresses is unclear. Sophora japonica seedlings were subjected to drought (5% polyethylene glycol 6,000), salinity (75mM NaCl), or low N (0.01mM NH4NO3) for 3weeks in a semi-hydroponic phenotyping platform. Salinity and low N negatively affected plant growth, while drought promoted root growth and inhibited aboveground growth. The NH4 +/NO3 - ratio increased under all three treatments with the exception of a reduction in leaves under salinity. Drought significantly increased leaf NO2 - concentrations. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was unaltered or increased under stresses with the exception of a reduction in leaves under salinity. Drought enhanced ammonium assimilation with increased glutamate synthase (GOGAT) activity, although glutamine synthetase (GS) activity remained unchanged, whereas salinity and low N inhibited ammonium assimilation with decreased GS activity under salt stress and decreased GOGAT activity under low N treatment. Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity also changed dramatically under different stresses. Additionally, expression changes of genes involved in N reduction and assimilation were generally consistent with related enzyme activities. In roots, ammonium transporters, especially SjAMT1.1 and SjAMT2.1a, showed higher transcription under all three stresses; however, most nitrate transporters (NRTs) were upregulated under salinity but unchanged under drought. SjNRT2.4, SjNRT2.5, and SjNRT3.1 were highly induced by low N. These results indicate that N uptake and metabolism processes respond differently to drought, salinity, and low N conditions in S. japonica seedlings, possibly playing key roles in plant resistance to environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tian
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Research Center for the Conservation and Breeding Engineering of Ancient Trees, Yangling, China
- Key Comprehensive Laboratory of Forestry, Yangling, China
| | - Yue Pang
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Zhong Zhao
- College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- Research Center for the Conservation and Breeding Engineering of Ancient Trees, Yangling, China
- Key Comprehensive Laboratory of Forestry, Yangling, China
- *Correspondence: Zhong Zhao, ;
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Rongsawat T, Peltier JB, Boyer JC, Véry AA, Sentenac H. Looking for Root Hairs to Overcome Poor Soils. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 26:83-94. [PMID: 32980260 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2020.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Breeding new cultivars allowing reduced fertilization and irrigation is a major challenge. International efforts towards this goal focus on noninvasive methodologies, platforms for high-throughput phenotyping of large plant populations, and quantitative description of root traits as predictors of crop performance in environments with limited water and nutrient availability. However, these high-throughput analyses ignore one crucial component of the root system: root hairs (RHs). Here, we review current knowledge on RH functions, mainly in the context of plant hydromineral nutrition, and take stock of quantitative genetics data pointing at correlations between RH traits and plant biomass production and yield components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanyakorn Rongsawat
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UMR BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier 34060, France
| | - Jean-Benoît Peltier
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UMR BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier 34060, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Boyer
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UMR BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier 34060, France
| | - Anne-Aliénor Véry
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UMR BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier 34060, France
| | - Hervé Sentenac
- Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, UMR BPMP, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier 34060, France.
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Fang XZ, Fang SQ, Ye ZQ, Liu D, Zhao KL, Jin CW. NRT1.1 Dual-Affinity Nitrate Transport/Signalling and its Roles in Plant Abiotic Stress Resistance. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:715694. [PMID: 34497626 PMCID: PMC8420879 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.715694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
NRT1.1 is the first nitrate transport protein cloned in plants and has both high- and low-affinity functions. It imports and senses nitrate, which is modulated by the phosphorylation on Thr101 (T101). Structural studies have revealed that the phosphorylation of T101 either induces dimer decoupling or increases structural flexibility within the membrane, thereby switching the NRT1.1 protein from a low- to high-affinity state. Further studies on the adaptive regulation of NRT1.1 in fluctuating nitrate conditions have shown that, at low nitrate concentrations, nitrate binding only at the high-affinity monomer initiates NRT1.1 dimer decoupling and priming of the T101 site for phosphorylation activated by CIPK23, which functions as a high-affinity nitrate transceptor. However, nitrate binding in both monomers retains the unmodified NRT1.1, maintaining the low-affinity mode. This NRT1.1-mediated nitrate signalling and transport may provide a key to improving the efficiency of plant nitrogen use. However, recent studies have revealed that NRT1.1 is extensively involved in plant tolerance of several adverse environmental conditions. In this context, we summarise the recent progress in the molecular mechanisms of NRT1.1 dual-affinity nitrate transport/signalling and focus on its expected and unexpected roles in plant abiotic stress resistance and their regulation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zhi Fang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Xian Zhi Fang,
| | - Shu Qin Fang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zheng Qian Ye
- Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ke Li Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chong Wei Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Zhao L, Chen P, Liu P, Song Y, Zhang D. Genetic Effects and Expression Patterns of the Nitrate Transporter (NRT) Gene Family in Populus tomentosa. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:661635. [PMID: 34054902 PMCID: PMC8155728 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.661635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate is an important source of nitrogen for poplar trees. The nitrate transporter (NRT) gene family is generally responsible for nitrate absorption and distribution. However, few analyses of the genetic effects and expression patterns of NRT family members have been conducted in woody plants. Here, using poplar as a model, we identified and characterized 98 members of the PtoNRT gene family. We calculated the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of the PtoNRT family and identified poplar-specific NRT genes and their expression patterns. To construct a core triple genetic network (association - gene expression - phenotype) for leaf nitrogen content, a candidate gene family association study, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and mapping of expression quantitative trait nucleotides (eQTNs) were combined, using data from 435 unrelated Populus. tomentosa individuals. PtoNRT genes exhibited distinct expression patterns between twelve tissues, circadian rhythm points, and stress responses. The association study showed that genotype combinations of allelic variations of three PtoNRT genes had a strong effect on leaf nitrogen content. WGCNA produced two co-expression modules containing PtoNRT genes. We also found that four PtoNRT genes defined thousands of eQTL signals. WGCNA and eQTL provided comprehensive analysis of poplar nitrogen-related regulatory factors, including MYB17 and WRKY21. NRT genes were found to be regulated by five plant hormones, among which abscisic acid was the main regulator. Our study provides new insights into the NRT gene family in poplar and enables the exploitation of novel genetic factors to improve the nitrate use efficiency of trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Panfei Chen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuepeng Song
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Deqiang Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree Breeding, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Deqiang Zhang,
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Liu R, Jia T, Cui B, Song J. The expression patterns and putative function of nitrate transporter 2.5 in plants. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2020; 15:1815980. [PMID: 32867594 PMCID: PMC7671049 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2020.1815980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate transporter 2.5 (NRT2.5) was originally characterized as the transporter for nitrogen (N) limitation. In Arabidopsis, NRT2.5 is expressed mainly under extremely low NO3- and N starvation conditions, and this must work in conjunction with NAR2.1. NRT2.5 is expressed both in the roots and leaves in Arabidopsis, poplars, tea trees and cassava. This is also expressed in the seeds of Arabidopsis and wheat. In wheat, NRT2.5 is expressed in the embryo and shell and plays a role in the accumulation of NO3- in the seeds. In maize, this is also expressed in silk, cobs and tassel husk leaves. In rice, OsNRT2.5 (also known as OsNRT2.3a) may help the species to remove NO3- from the roots to shoots. In addition, NRT2.5 may interact with TGA3, MYC1, LBD37, LBD38, TaNAC2 and other transcription factors and participate in the transmission of NO3- signals. The present review summarizes the functions of NRT2.5 in different plant species, which may help plant breeders and molecular biologists to improve crop yield. Abbreviations: NRT, Nitrate transporter; NUE, nitrogen use efficiency; PTR, peptide transporter; NPF, nitrate peptide transporter family; CLC, chloride channel; LAC1/SLAH, slow anion channel-associated 1 homolog 3; LATS, low-affinity transporter systems; HATS, high-affinity transport systems; NNP, nitrate-nitrite-porter; MFS, major facilitator superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Liu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Research, College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Ting Jia
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Research, College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Bing Cui
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Research, College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, P.R. China
| | - Jie Song
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Research, College of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, P.R. China
- CONTACT Jie Song Jinan250014, P.R. China
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27
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Genome-Wide Differential DNA Methylation and miRNA Expression Profiling Reveals Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms Underlying Nitrogen-Limitation-Triggered Adaptation and Use Efficiency Enhancement in Allotetraploid Rapeseed. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228453. [PMID: 33182819 PMCID: PMC7697602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving crop nitrogen (N) limitation adaptation (NLA) is a core approach to enhance N use efficiency (NUE) and reduce N fertilizer application. Rapeseed has a high demand for N nutrients for optimal plant growth and seed production, but it exhibits low NUE. Epigenetic modification, such as DNA methylation and modification from small RNAs, is key to plant adaptive responses to various stresses. However, epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying NLA and NUE remain elusive in allotetraploid B. napus. In this study, we identified overaccumulated carbohydrate, and improved primary and lateral roots in rapeseed plants under N limitation, which resulted in decreased plant nitrate concentrations, enhanced root-to-shoot N translocation, and increased NUE. Transcriptomics and RT-qPCR assays revealed that N limitation induced the expression of NRT1.1, NRT1.5, NRT1.7, NRT2.1/NAR2.1, and Gln1;1, and repressed the transcriptional levels of CLCa, NRT1.8, and NIA1. High-resolution whole genome bisulfite sequencing characterized 5094 differentially methylated genes involving ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, N recycling, and phytohormone metabolism under N limitation. Hypermethylation/hypomethylation in promoter regions or gene bodies of some key N-metabolism genes might be involved in their transcriptional regulation by N limitation. Genome-wide miRNA sequencing identified 224 N limitation-responsive differentially expressed miRNAs regulating leaf development, amino acid metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. Furthermore, degradome sequencing and RT-qPCR assays revealed the miR827-NLA pathway regulating limited N-induced leaf senescence as well as the miR171-SCL6 and miR160-ARF17 pathways regulating root growth under N deficiency. Our study provides a comprehensive insight into the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying rapeseed NLA, and it will be helpful for genetic engineering of NUE in crop species through epigenetic modification of some N metabolism-associated genes.
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28
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Affiliation(s)
- Moona Rahikainen
- Molecular Plant Biology, University of Turku, Turku, FI-20014, Finland
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29
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Jacquot A, Chaput V, Mauries A, Li Z, Tillard P, Fizames C, Bonillo P, Bellegarde F, Laugier E, Santoni V, Hem S, Martin A, Gojon A, Schulze W, Lejay L. NRT2.1 C-terminus phosphorylation prevents root high affinity nitrate uptake activity in Arabidopsis thaliana. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 228:1038-1054. [PMID: 32463943 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In Arabidopsis thaliana, NRT2.1 codes for a main component of the root nitrate high-affinity transport system. Previous studies revealed that post-translational regulation of NRT2.1 plays an important role in the control of root nitrate uptake and that one mechanism could correspond to NRT2.1 C-terminus processing. To further investigate this hypothesis, we produced transgenic plants with truncated forms of NRT2.1. This revealed an essential sequence for NRT2.1 activity, located between the residues 494 and 513. Using a phospho-proteomic approach, we found that this sequence contains one phosphorylation site, at serine 501, which can inactivate NRT2.1 function when mimicking the constitutive phosphorylation of this residue in transgenic plants. This phenotype could neither be explained by changes in abundance of NRT2.1 and NAR2.1, a partner protein of NRT2.1, nor by a lack of interaction between these two proteins. Finally, the relative level of serine 501 phosphorylation was found to be increased by ammonium nitrate in wild-type plants, leading to the inactivation of NRT2.1 and to a decrease in high affinity nitrate transport into roots. Altogether, these observations reveal a new and essential mechanism for the regulation of NRT2.1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Jacquot
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Valentin Chaput
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Adeline Mauries
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Zhi Li
- Institute of Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Pascal Tillard
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Cécile Fizames
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Bonillo
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Fanny Bellegarde
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Edith Laugier
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Véronique Santoni
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Sonia Hem
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Antoine Martin
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Alain Gojon
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
| | - Waltraud Schulze
- Institute of Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Laurence Lejay
- BPMP, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Univ Montpellier, 34060, Montpellier, France
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Chen J, Liu X, Liu S, Fan X, Zhao L, Song M, Fan X, Xu G. Co-Overexpression of OsNAR2.1 and OsNRT2.3a Increased Agronomic Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Transgenic Rice Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:1245. [PMID: 32903417 PMCID: PMC7434940 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The NO3 - transporter plays an important role in rice nitrogen acquisition and nitrogen-use efficiency. Our previous studies have shown that the high affinity systems for nitrate uptake in rice is mediated by a two-component NRT2/NAR2 transport system. In this study, transgenic plants were successful developed by overexpression of OsNAR2.1 alone, OsNRT2.3a alone and co-overexpression of OsNAR2.1 and OsNRT2.3a. Our field experiments indicated that transgenic lines expressing p35S:OsNAR2.1 or p35S:OsNAR2.1-p35S:OsNRT2.3a constructs exhibited increased grain yields of approximately 14.1% and 24.6% compared with wild-type (cv. Wuyunjing 7, WT) plants, and the agricultural nitrogen use efficiency increased by 15.8% and 28.6%, respectively. Compared with WT, the 15N influx in roots of p35S:OsNAR2.1 and p35S: OsNAR2.1-p35S:OsNRT2.3a lines increased 18.9%‑27.8% in response to 0.2 mM, 2.5 mM 15NO3 -, and 1.25 mM 15NH4 15NO3, while there was no significant difference between p35S:OsNAR2.1 and p35S:OsNAR2.1-p35S:OsNRT2.3a lines; only the 15N distribution ratio of shoot to root for p35S:OsNAR2.1-p35S:OsNRT2.3a lines increased significantly. However, there were no significant differences in nitrogen use efficiency, 15N influx in roots and the yield between the p35S:NRT2.3a transgenic lines and WT. This study indicated that co-overexpression of OsNAR2.1 and OsNRT2.3a could increase rice yield and nitrogen use efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- CAAS-IRRI Joint Laboratory for Genomics-Assisted Germplasm Enhancement, Agricultural Genomics Institute in Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoqin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Shuhua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoru Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Limei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Miaoquan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaorong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guohua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, MOA Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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31
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Heterologous Expression of Nitrate Assimilation Related-Protein DsNAR2.1/NRT3.1 Affects Uptake of Nitrate and Ammonium in Nitrogen-Starved Arabidopsis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114027. [PMID: 32512879 PMCID: PMC7312895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth. Plants absorb and utilize N mainly in the form of nitrate (NO3-) or ammonium (NH4+). In this study, the nitrate transporter DsNRT3.1 (also known as the nitrate assimilation-related protein DsNAR2.1) was characterized from Dianthus spiculifolius. A quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that the DsNRT3.1 expression was induced by NO3-. Under N-starvation conditions, the transformed Arabidopsis seedlings expressing DsNRT3.1 had longer roots and a greater fresh weight than the wild type. Subcellular localization showed that DsNRT3.1 was mainly localized to the plasma membrane in Arabidopsis root hair cells. Non-invasive micro-test (NMT) monitoring showed that the root hairs of N-starved transformed Arabidopsis seedlings had a stronger NO3- and NH4+ influx than the wild-type seedlings, using with NO3- or NH4+ as the sole N source; contrastingly, transformed seedlings only had a stronger NO3- influx when NO3- and NH4+ were present simultaneously. In addition, the qPCR analysis showed that the expression of AtNRT2 genes (AtNRT2.1-2.6), and particularly of AtNRT2.5, in the transformed Arabidopsis differed from that in the wild type. Overall, our results suggest that the heterologous expression of DsNRT3.1 affects seedlings' growth by enhancing the NO3- and NH4+ uptake in N-starved Arabidopsis. This may be related to the differential expression of AtNRT2 genes.
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32
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Zou X, Liu MY, Wu WH, Wang Y. Phosphorylation at Ser28 stabilizes the Arabidopsis nitrate transporter NRT2.1 in response to nitrate limitation. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 62:865-876. [PMID: 31342638 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate is one of the main inorganic nitrogen sources for plants. Nitrate absorption from soils is achieved through the combined activities of specific nitrate transporters. Nitrate transporter 2.1 (NRT2.1) is the major component of the root high-affinity nitrate transport system in Arabidopsis thaliana. Studies to date have mainly focused on transcriptional control of NRT2.1. Here, we show that NRT2.1 protein stability is also regulated in response to nitrogen nutrition availability. When seedlings were transferred to nitrate-limited conditions, the apparent half-life of NRT2.1 in roots increased from 3 to 9 h. This stabilization of NRT2.1 protein occurred rapidly, even prior to the transcriptional stimulation of NRT2.1. Furthermore, we revealed that phosphorylation at serine 28 (Ser28) of NRT2.1 is involved in regulating the stability of this protein. Substitution of Ser28 by alanine resulted in unstable NRT2.1, and this loss-of-phosphorylation mutant (NRT2.1S28A ) failed to complement the growth-restricted phenotype of the nrt2.1 mutant when a low concentration of nitrate was the sole nitrogen source. These results demonstrate that phosphorylation at Ser28 is crucial for NRT2.1 protein stabilization and accumulation in response to nitrate limitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Wei-Hua Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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Vissenberg K, Claeijs N, Balcerowicz D, Schoenaers S. Hormonal regulation of root hair growth and responses to the environment in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:2412-2427. [PMID: 31993645 PMCID: PMC7178432 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The main functions of plant roots are water and nutrient uptake, soil anchorage, and interaction with soil-living biota. Root hairs, single cell tubular extensions of root epidermal cells, facilitate or enhance these functions by drastically enlarging the absorptive surface. Root hair development is constantly adapted to changes in the root's surroundings, allowing for optimization of root functionality in heterogeneous soil environments. The underlying molecular pathway is the result of a complex interplay between position-dependent signalling and feedback loops. Phytohormone signalling interconnects this root hair signalling cascade with biotic and abiotic changes in the rhizosphere, enabling dynamic hormone-driven changes in root hair growth, density, length, and morphology. This review critically discusses the influence of the major plant hormones on root hair development, and how changes in rhizosphere properties impact on the latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Vissenberg
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology Lab, Department of Agriculture, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Stavromenos PC, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Naomi Claeijs
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Daria Balcerowicz
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sébastjen Schoenaers
- Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Mauceri A, Bassolino L, Lupini A, Badeck F, Rizza F, Schiavi M, Toppino L, Abenavoli MR, Rotino GL, Sunseri F. Genetic variation in eggplant for Nitrogen Use Efficiency under contrasting NO 3 - supply. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 62:487-508. [PMID: 31087763 DOI: 10.1111/jipb.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) yield is highly sensitive to N fertilization, the excessive use of which is responsible for environmental and human health damage. Lowering N input together with the selection of improved Nitrogen-Use-Efficiency (NUE) genotypes, more able to uptake, utilize, and remobilize N available in soils, can be challenging to maintain high crop yields in a sustainable agriculture. The aim of this study was to explore the natural variation among eggplant accessions from different origins, in response to Low (LN) and High (HN) Nitrate (NO3 - ) supply, to identify NUE-contrasting genotypes and their NUE-related traits, in hydroponic and greenhouse pot experiments. Two eggplants, AM222 and AM22, were identified as N-use efficient and inefficient, respectively, in hydroponic, and these results were confirmed in a pot experiment, when crop yield was also evaluated. Overall, our results indicated the key role of N-utilization component (NUtE) to confer high NUE. The remobilization of N from leaves to fruits may be a strategy to enhance NUtE, suggesting glutamate synthase as a key enzyme. Further, omics technologies will be used for focusing on C-N metabolism interacting networks. The availability of RILs from two other selected NUE-contrasting genotypes will allow us to detect major genes/quantitative trait loci related to NUE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Mauceri
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, I-89124, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Laura Bassolino
- CREA Centro di ricerca Genomica e Bioinformatica, I-26836, Montanaso Lombardo, Italy
| | - Antonio Lupini
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, I-89124, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Franz Badeck
- CREA Centro di ricerca Genomica e Bioinformatica, I-29017, Fiorenzuola d'Arda, Italy
| | - Fulvia Rizza
- CREA Centro di ricerca Genomica e Bioinformatica, I-29017, Fiorenzuola d'Arda, Italy
| | - Massimo Schiavi
- CREA Centro di ricerca Genomica e Bioinformatica, I-26836, Montanaso Lombardo, Italy
| | - Laura Toppino
- CREA Centro di ricerca Genomica e Bioinformatica, I-26836, Montanaso Lombardo, Italy
| | - Maria Rosa Abenavoli
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, I-89124, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giuseppe L Rotino
- CREA Centro di ricerca Genomica e Bioinformatica, I-26836, Montanaso Lombardo, Italy
| | - Francesco Sunseri
- Dipartimento Agraria, Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, I-89124, Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Luo B, Xu M, Zhao L, Xie P, Chen Y, Harwood W, Xu G, Fan X, Miller AJ. Overexpression of the High-Affinity Nitrate Transporter OsNRT2.3b Driven by Different Promoters in Barley Improves Yield and Nutrient Uptake Balance. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1320. [PMID: 32075298 PMCID: PMC7072886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is very important for crops throughout the world. Rice mainly utilizes ammonium as an N source, but it also has four NRT2 genes involved in nitrate transport. The OsNRT2.3b transporter is important for maintaining cellular pH under mixed N supplies. Overexpression of this transporter driven by a ubiquitin promoter in rice greatly improved yield and NUE. This strategy for improving the NUE of crops may also be important for other cereals such as wheat and barley, which also face the challenges of nutrient uptake balance. To test this idea, we constructed transgenic barley lines overexpressing OsNRT2.3b. These transgenic barley lines overexpressing the rice transporter exhibited improved growth, yield, and NUE. We demonstrated that NRT2 family members and the partner protein HvNAR2.3 were also up-regulated by nitrate treatment (0.2 mM) in the transgenic lines. This suggests that the expression of OsNRT2.3b and other HvNRT2 family members were all up-regulated in the transgenic barley to increase the efficiency of N uptake and usage. We also compared the ubiquitin (Ubi) and a phloem-specific (RSs1) promoter-driven expression of OsNRT2.3b. The Ubi promoter failed to improve nutrient uptake balance, whereas the RSs1 promoter succeed in increasing the N, P, and Fe uptake balance. The nutrient uptake enhancement did not include Mn and Mg. Surprisingly, we found that the choice of promoter influenced the barley phenotype, not only increasing NUE and grain yield, but also improving nutrient uptake balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingbing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (B.L.); (M.X.); (L.Z.); (P.X.); (G.X.)
| | - Man Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (B.L.); (M.X.); (L.Z.); (P.X.); (G.X.)
| | - Limei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (B.L.); (M.X.); (L.Z.); (P.X.); (G.X.)
| | - Peng Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (B.L.); (M.X.); (L.Z.); (P.X.); (G.X.)
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK; (Y.C.); (W.H.)
| | - Wendy Harwood
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK; (Y.C.); (W.H.)
| | - Guohua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (B.L.); (M.X.); (L.Z.); (P.X.); (G.X.)
| | - Xiaorong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low-Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; (B.L.); (M.X.); (L.Z.); (P.X.); (G.X.)
| | - Anthony J. Miller
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK; (Y.C.); (W.H.)
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Van Oosten MJ, Dell’Aversana E, Ruggiero A, Cirillo V, Gibon Y, Woodrow P, Maggio A, Carillo P. Omeprazole Treatment Enhances Nitrogen Use Efficiency Through Increased Nitrogen Uptake and Assimilation in Corn. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1507. [PMID: 31867024 PMCID: PMC6904362 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Omeprazole is a selective proton pump inhibitor in humans that inhibits the H+/K+-ATPase of gastric parietal cells. Omeprazole has been recently shown to act as a plant growth regulator and enhancer of salt stress tolerance. Here, we report that omeprazole treatment in hydroponically grown maize improves nitrogen uptake and assimilation. The presence of micromolar concentrations of omeprazole in the nutrient solution alleviates the chlorosis and growth inhibition induced by low nitrogen availability. Nitrate uptake and assimilation is enhanced in omeprazole treated plants through changes in nitrate reductase activity, primary metabolism, and gene expression. Omeprazole enhances nitrate assimilation through an interaction with nitrate reductase, altering its activation state and affinity for nitrate as a substrate. Omeprazole and its targets represent a novel method for enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilia Dell’Aversana
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies of University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ruggiero
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Valerio Cirillo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Yves Gibon
- UMR 1332 BFP, INRA, Bordeaux INP, Villenave d’Ornon, France
| | - Pasqualina Woodrow
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies of University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Albino Maggio
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Petronia Carillo
- Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies of University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
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Niño-González M, Novo-Uzal E, Richardson DN, Barros PM, Duque P. More Transporters, More Substrates: The Arabidopsis Major Facilitator Superfamily Revisited. MOLECULAR PLANT 2019; 12:1182-1202. [PMID: 31330327 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) is ubiquitous in living organisms and represents the largest group of secondary active membrane transporters. In plants, significant research efforts have focused on the role of specific families within the MFS, particularly those transporting macronutrients (C, N, and P) that constitute the vast majority of the members of this superfamily. Other MFS families remain less explored, although a plethora of additional substrates and physiological functions have been uncovered. Nevertheless, the lack of a systematic approach to analyzing the MFS as a whole has obscured the high diversity and versatility of these transporters. Here, we present a phylogenetic analysis of all annotated MFS domain-containing proteins encoded in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome and propose that this superfamily of transporters consists of 218 members, clustered in 22 families. In reviewing the available information regarding the diversity in biological functions and substrates of Arabidopsis MFS members, we provide arguments for intensified research on these membrane transporters to unveil the breadth of their physiological relevance, disclose the molecular mechanisms underlying their mode of action, and explore their biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pedro M Barros
- Genomics of Plant Stress Unit, ITQB NOVA - Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Paula Duque
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal.
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38
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Michniewicz M, Ho CH, Enders TA, Floro E, Damodaran S, Gunther LK, Powers SK, Frick EM, Topp CN, Frommer WB, Strader LC. TRANSPORTER OF IBA1 Links Auxin and Cytokinin to Influence Root Architecture. Dev Cell 2019; 50:599-609.e4. [PMID: 31327740 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Developmental processes that control root system architecture are critical for soil exploration by plants, allowing for uptake of water and nutrients. Conversion of the auxin precursor indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) to active auxin (indole-3-acetic acid; IAA) modulates lateral root formation. However, mechanisms governing IBA-to-IAA conversion have yet to be elucidated. We identified TRANSPORTER OF IBA1 (TOB1) as a vacuolar IBA transporter that limits lateral root formation. Moreover, TOB1, which is transcriptionally regulated by the phytohormone cytokinin, is necessary for the ability of cytokinin to exert inhibitory effects on lateral root production. The increased production of lateral roots in tob1 mutants, TOB1 transport of IBA into the vacuole, and cytokinin-regulated TOB1 expression provide a mechanism linking cytokinin signaling and IBA contribution to the auxin pool to tune root system architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Michniewicz
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Cheng-Hsun Ho
- Institute for Molecular Physiology, Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Institute for Biotransformative Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan; Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tara A Enders
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Eric Floro
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, MO 63132, USA
| | - Suresh Damodaran
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Lauren K Gunther
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Samantha K Powers
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Frick
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | | | - Wolf B Frommer
- Institute for Molecular Physiology, Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf, Institute for Biotransformative Molecules (WPI-ITbM), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Lucia C Strader
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA; Center for Engineering MechanoBiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA; Center for Science & Engineering of Living Systems, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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Ye JY, Tian WH, Jin CW. A reevaluation of the contribution of NRT1.1 to nitrate uptake in Arabidopsis under low-nitrate supply. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:2051-2059. [PMID: 31172512 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
NRT1.1 has been previously characterized as a dual-affinity nitrate transporter in Arabidopsis, though several lines of evidence have raised questions regarding its high-affinity function in nitrate uptake. Here, we show that the induction of NRT2.1- and NRT2.2-mediated nitrate uptake interferes with measurements of the contribution of NRT1.1 to high-affinity uptake using nrt1.1 mutants. Therefore, a nrt1.1/2.1/2.2 triple mutant was generated to reevaluate the role of NRT1.1 in high-affinity nitrate uptake. This triple mutant has a lower rate of nitrate uptake than the nrt2.1/2.2 double mutant under low external nitrate supply, resulting in a lower growth rate than that of the double mutant. Therefore, we conclude that NRT1.1-mediated high-affinity nitrate uptake is necessary for plant growth under low-nitrate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yuan Ye
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wen Hao Tian
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chong Wei Jin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Dechorgnat J, Francis KL, Dhugga KS, Rafalski JA, Tyerman SD, Kaiser BN. Tissue and nitrogen-linked expression profiles of ammonium and nitrate transporters in maize. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 19:206. [PMID: 31109290 PMCID: PMC6528335 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-1768-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to grow, plants rely on soil nutrients which can vary both spatially and temporally depending on the environment, the soil type or the microbial activity. An essential nutrient is nitrogen, which is mainly accessible as nitrate and ammonium. Many studies have investigated transport genes for these ions in Arabidopsis thaliana and recently in crop species, including Maize, Rice and Barley. However, in most crop species, an understanding of the participants in nitrate and ammonium transport across the soil plant continuum remains undefined. RESULTS We have mapped a non-exhaustive set of putative nitrate and ammonium transporters in maize. The selected transporters were defined based on previous studies comparing nitrate transport pathways conserved between Arabidopsis and Zea mays (Plett D et. al, PLOS ONE 5:e15289, 2010). We also selected genes from published studies (Gu R et. al, Plant and Cell Physiology, 54:1515-1524, 2013, Garnett T et. al, New Phytol 198:82-94, 2013, Garnett T et. al, Frontiers in Plant Sci 6, 2015, Dechorgnat J et. al, Front Plant Sci 9:531, 2018). To analyse these genes, the plants were grown in a semi-hydroponic system to carefully control nitrogen delivery and then harvested at both vegetative and reproductive stages. The expression patterns of 26 putative nitrogen transporters were then tested. Six putative genes were found not expressed in our conditions. Transcripts of 20 other genes were detected at both the vegetative and reproductive stages of maize development. We observed the expression of nitrogen transporters in all organs tested: roots, young leaves, old leaves, silks, cobs, tassels and husk leaves. We also followed the gene expression response to nitrogen starvation and resupply and uncovered mainly three expression patterns: (i) genes unresponsiveness to nitrogen supply; (ii) genes showing an increase of expression after nitrogen starvation; (iii) genes showing a decrease of expression after nitrogen starvation. CONCLUSIONS These data allowed the mapping of putative nitrogen transporters in maize at both the vegetative and reproductive stages of development. No growth-dependent expression was seen in our conditions. We found that nitrogen transporter genes were expressed in all the organs tested and in many cases were regulated by the availability of nitrogen supplied to the plant. The gene expression patterns in relation to organ specificity and nitrogen availability denote a speciality of nitrate and ammonium transporter genes and their probable function depending on the plant organ and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Dechorgnat
- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, 2B Hartley Grove, Urrbrae, SA 5064 Australia
- University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, 380 Werombi Road, Brownlow Hill, NSW 2570 Australia
| | - Karen L. Francis
- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, 2B Hartley Grove, Urrbrae, SA 5064 Australia
| | - Kanwarpal S. Dhugga
- Genetic Discovery Group, DuPont Pioneer, Johnston, IA 50131-1004 USA
- Present Address: Genetic Resources Group, International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT), El Batan, 56237 Texcoco, Mexico
| | - J. Antony Rafalski
- Genetic Discovery Group, DuPont Crop Genetics Research, DuPont Experimental Station, Building E353, Wilmington, DE 198803 USA
| | - Stephen D. Tyerman
- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, 2B Hartley Grove, Urrbrae, SA 5064 Australia
| | - Brent N. Kaiser
- University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, 380 Werombi Road, Brownlow Hill, NSW 2570 Australia
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Lupini A, Araniti F, Mauceri A, Princi MP, Sorgonà A, Sunseri F, Varanini Z, Abenavoli MR. Coumarin enhances nitrate uptake in maize roots through modulation of plasma membrane H + -ATPase activity. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2018; 20:390-398. [PMID: 29181876 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Coumarin is one of the simplest plant secondary metabolites, widely distributed in the plant kingdom, affecting root form and function, including anatomy, morphology and nutrient uptake. Although, some plant responses to coumarin have been described, comprehensive knowledge of the physiological and molecular mechanisms is lacking. Maize seedlings exposed to different coumarin concentrations, alone or in combination with 200 μm nitrate (NO3- ), were analysed, through a physiological and molecular approach, to elucidate action of coumarin on net NO3- uptake rate (NNUR). In detail, the time course of NNUR, plasma membrane (PM) H+ -ATPase activity, proton pumping and related gene expression (ZmNPF6.3, ZmNRT2.1, ZmNAR2.1, ZmHA3 and ZmHA4) were evaluated. Coumarin alone did not affect nitrate uptake, PM H+ -ATPase activity or transcript levels of ZmNRT2.1 and ZmHA3. In contrast, coumarin alone increased ZmNPF6.3, ZmNAR2.1 and ZmHA4 expression in response to abiotic stress. When coumarin and NO3- were concurrently added to the nutrient solution, a significant increase in the NNUR, PM H+ -ATPase activity, together with ZmNAR2.1:ZmNRT2.1 and ZmHA4 expression was observed, suggesting that coumarin affected the inducible component of the high affinity transport system (iHATS), and this effect appeared to be mediated by nitrate. Moreover, results with vanadate, an inhibitor of the PM H+ -ATPase, suggested that this enzyme could be the main target of coumarin. Surprisingly, coumarin did not affect PM H+ -ATPase activity by direct contact with plasma membrane vesicles isolated from maize roots, indicating its possible elicitor role in gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lupini
- Dipartimento AGRARIA, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - F Araniti
- Dipartimento AGRARIA, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - A Mauceri
- Dipartimento AGRARIA, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - M P Princi
- Dipartimento AGRARIA, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - A Sorgonà
- Dipartimento AGRARIA, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - F Sunseri
- Dipartimento AGRARIA, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Z Varanini
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - M R Abenavoli
- Dipartimento AGRARIA, Università Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Dong J, Jones RH, Mou P. Relationships between Nutrient Heterogeneity, Root Growth, and Hormones: Evidence for Interspecific Variation. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 7:E15. [PMID: 29495558 PMCID: PMC5874604 DOI: 10.3390/plants7010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Plant roots respond to nutrients through root architecture that is regulated by hormones. Strong inter-specific variation in root architecture has been well documented, but physiological mechanisms that may control the variation have not. (2) Methods: We examined correlations between root architecture and hormones to seek clues on mechanisms behind root foraging behavior. In the green house at Beijing Normal University, hydroponic culture experiments were used to examine the root responses of four species-Callistephus chinensis, Solidago canadensis, Ailanthus altissima, Oryza sativa-to two nitrogen types (NO₃- or NH₄⁺), three nitrogen concentrations (low, medium, and high concentrations of 0.2, 1, and 18 mM, respectively) and two ways of nitrogen application (stable vs. variable). The plants were harvested after 36 days to measure root mass, 1st order root length, seminal root length for O. sativa, density of the 1st order laterals, seminal root number for O. sativa, the inter-node length of the 1st order laterals, and root hormone contents of indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid, and cytokinins (zeatin + zeatinriboside). (3) Results: Species differed significantly in their root architecture responses to nitrogen treatments. They also differed significantly in hormone responses to the nitrogen treatments. Additionally, the correlations between root architecture and hormone responses were quite variable across the species. Each hormone had highly species-specific relationships with root responses. (4) Conclusions: Our finding implies that a particular root foraging behavior is probably not controlled by the same biochemical pathway in all species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Robert H Jones
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
| | - Pu Mou
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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Plett DC, Holtham LR, Okamoto M, Garnett TP. Nitrate uptake and its regulation in relation to improving nitrogen use efficiency in cereals. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 74:97-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Nadeem F, Ahmad Z, Wang R, Han J, Shen Q, Chang F, Diao X, Zhang F, Li X. Foxtail Millet [ Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] Grown under Low Nitrogen Shows a Smaller Root System, Enhanced Biomass Accumulation, and Nitrate Transporter Expression. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:205. [PMID: 29520286 PMCID: PMC5826958 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Foxtail millet (FM) [Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.] is a grain and forage crop well adapted to nutrient-poor soils. To date little is known how FM adapts to low nitrogen (LN) at the morphological, physiological, and molecular levels. Using the FM variety Yugu1, we found that LN led to lower chlorophyll contents and N concentrations, and higher root/shoot and C/N ratios and N utilization efficiencies under hydroponic culture. Importantly, enhanced biomass accumulation in the root under LN was in contrast to a smaller root system, as indicated by significant decreases in total root length; crown root number and length; and lateral root number, length, and density. Enhanced carbon allocation toward the root was rather for significant increases in average diameter of the LN root, potentially favorable for wider xylem vessels or other anatomical alterations facilitating nutrient transport. Lower levels of IAA and CKs were consistent with a smaller root system and higher levels of GA may promote root thickening under LN. Further, up-regulation of SiNRT1.1, SiNRT2.1, and SiNAR2.1 expression and nitrate influx in the root and that of SiNRT1.11 and SiNRT1.12 expression in the shoot probably favored nitrate uptake and remobilization as a whole. Lastly, more soluble proteins accumulated in the N-deficient root likely as a result of increases of N utilization efficiencies. Such "excessive" protein-N was possibly available for shoot delivery. Thus, FM may preferentially transport carbon toward the root facilitating root thickening/nutrient transport and allocate N toward the shoot maximizing photosynthesis/carbon fixation as a primary adaptive strategy to N limitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Nadeem
- Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zeeshan Ahmad
- Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruifeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jienan Han
- Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Shen
- Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Feiran Chang
- Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xianmin Diao
- Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fusuo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuexian Li
- Key Laboratory of Plant–Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Department of Plant Nutrition, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xuexian Li,
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Ibrahim A, Jin XL, Zhang YB, Cruz J, Vichyavichien P, Esiobu N, Zhang XH. Tobacco plants expressing the maize nitrate transporter ZmNrt2.1 exhibit altered responses of growth and gene expression to nitrate and calcium. BOTANICAL STUDIES 2017; 58:51. [PMID: 29143202 PMCID: PMC5688054 DOI: 10.1186/s40529-017-0203-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nitrate uptake is a highly regulated process. Understanding the intricate interactions between nitrate availability and genetically-controlled nitrate acquisition and metabolism is essential for improving nitrogen use efficiency and increasing nitrate uptake capacity for plants grown in both nitrate-poor and nitrate-enriched environments. In this report, we introduced into tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) the constitutively expressed maize high-affinity transporter ZmNrt2.1 gene that would bypass the tight control for the endogenous nitrate-responsive genes. By using calcium inhibitors and varying levels of NO3-, Ca2+ and K+, we probed how the host plants were affected in their nitrate response. RESULTS We found that the ZmNrt2.1-expressing plants had better root growth than the wild type plants when Ca2+ was deficient regardless of the nitrate levels. The growth restriction associated with Ca2+-deficiency can be alleviated with a high level of K+. Furthermore, the transgenic plants exhibited altered expression patterns of several endogenous, nitrate-responsive genes, including the high- and low-affinity nitrate transporters, the Bric-a-Brac/Tramtrack/Broad protein BT2 and the transcription factor TGA-binding protein TGA1, in responding to treatments of NO3-, K+ or inhibitors for the calcium channel and the cytosolic Ca2+-regulating phospholipase C, as compared to the wild type plants under the same treatments. Their expression was not only responsive to nitrate, but also affected by Ca2+. There were also different patterns of gene expression between roots and shoots. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate the ectopic effect of the maize nitrate transporter on the host plant's overall gene expression of nitrate sensing system, and further highlight the involvement of calcium in nitrate sensing in tobacco plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abubakar Ibrahim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA
- Department of Soil Sciences, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria
| | - Xiao-Lu Jin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA
| | - Yu-Bin Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA
- Monitoring Center for Marine Resources and Environments, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088 China
| | - Jessica Cruz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA
| | - Paveena Vichyavichien
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA
| | - Nwadiuto Esiobu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA
| | - Xing-Hai Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA
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Chen J, Fan X, Qian K, Zhang Y, Song M, Liu Y, Xu G, Fan X. pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 expression enhances nitrogen uptake efficiency and grain yield in transgenic rice plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2017; 15:1273-1283. [PMID: 28226420 PMCID: PMC5595721 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The nitrate (NO3-) transporter has been selected as an important gene maker in the process of environmental adoption in rice cultivars. In this work, we transferred another native OsNAR2.1 promoter with driving OsNAR2.1 gene into rice plants. The transgenic lines with exogenous pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 constructs showed enhanced OsNAR2.1 expression level, compared with wild type (WT), and 15 N influx in roots increased 21%-32% in response to 0.2 mm and 2.5 mm 15NO3- and 1.25 mm 15 NH415 NO3 . Under these three N conditions, the biomass of the pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 transgenic lines increased 143%, 129% and 51%, and total N content increased 161%, 242% and 69%, respectively, compared to WT. Furthermore in field experiments we found the grain yield, agricultural nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE), and dry matter transfer of pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 plants increased by about 21%, 22% and 21%, compared to WT. We also compared the phenotypes of pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 and pOsNAR2.1:OsNRT2.1 transgenic lines in the field, found that postanthesis N uptake differed significantly between them, and in comparison with the WT. Postanthesis N uptake (PANU) increased approximately 39% and 85%, in the pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 and pOsNAR2.1:OsNRT2.1 transgenic lines, respectively, possibly because OsNRT2.1 expression was less in the pOsNAR2.1:OsNAR2.1 lines than in the pOsNAR2.1:OsNRT2.1 lines during the late growth stage. These results show that rice NO3- uptake, yield and NUE were improved by increased OsNAR2.1 expression via its native promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingguang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low‐Middle Reaches of the Yangtze RiverMinistry of AgricultureNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaoru Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low‐Middle Reaches of the Yangtze RiverMinistry of AgricultureNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Kaiyun Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low‐Middle Reaches of the Yangtze RiverMinistry of AgricultureNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low‐Middle Reaches of the Yangtze RiverMinistry of AgricultureNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Miaoquan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low‐Middle Reaches of the Yangtze RiverMinistry of AgricultureNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and BiochemistryCollege of Life ScienceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Guohua Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low‐Middle Reaches of the Yangtze RiverMinistry of AgricultureNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiaorong Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm EnhancementNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
- Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization in Low‐Middle Reaches of the Yangtze RiverMinistry of AgricultureNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
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Jacquot A, Li Z, Gojon A, Schulze W, Lejay L. Post-translational regulation of nitrogen transporters in plants and microorganisms. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2017; 68:2567-2580. [PMID: 28369438 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erx073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
For microorganisms and plants, nitrate and ammonium are the main nitrogen sources and they are also important signaling molecules controlling several aspects of metabolism and development. Over the past decade, numerous studies revealed that nitrogen transporters are strongly regulated at the transcriptional level. However, more and more reports are now showing that nitrate and ammonium transporters are also subjected to post-translational regulations in response to nitrogen availability. Phosphorylation is so far the most well studied post-translational modification for these transporters and it affects both the regulation of nitrogen uptake and nitrogen sensing. For example, in Arabidopsis thaliana, phosphorylation was shown to activate the sensing function of the root nitrate transporter NRT1.1 and to switch the transport affinity. Also, for ammonium transporters, a phosphorylation-dependent activation/inactivation mechanism was elucidated in recent years in both plants and microorganisms. However, despite the fact that these regulatory mechanisms are starting to be thoroughly described, the signaling pathways involved and their action on nitrogen transporters remain largely unknown. In this review, we highlight the inorganic nitrogen transporters regulated at the post-translational level and we compare the known mechanisms in plants and microorganisms. We then discuss how these mechanisms could contribute to the regulation of nitrogen uptake and/or nitrogen sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Jacquot
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes 'Claude Grignon', UMR CNRS/INRA/SupAgro/UM2, Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex, France
| | - Zhi Li
- Institute of Physiology and Biotechnology of plants, Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alain Gojon
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes 'Claude Grignon', UMR CNRS/INRA/SupAgro/UM2, Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex, France
| | - Waltraud Schulze
- Institute of Physiology and Biotechnology of plants, Plant Systems Biology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 30, D-70593, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Laurence Lejay
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Physiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, Institut de Biologie Intégrative des Plantes 'Claude Grignon', UMR CNRS/INRA/SupAgro/UM2, Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex, France
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Li H, Hu B, Chu C. Nitrogen use efficiency in crops: lessons from Arabidopsis and rice. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2017; 68:2477-2488. [PMID: 28419301 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erx101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Application of chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen (N), to crops has increased dramatically in the last half century and therefore developing crop varieties with improved N use efficiency (NUE) is urgent for sustainable agriculture. N utilization procedures generally can be divided into uptake, transport, and assimilation. Transporters for nitrate or ammonium acquisition and enzymes for assimilation are among the essential components determining NUE, and many transcription factors also play a pivotal role in regulating N use-associated genes, thereby contributing to NUE. Although some efforts in improving NUE have been made in various plants, the regulatory mechanisms underlying NUE are still elusive, and NUE improvement in crop breeding is very limited. In this review, the crucial components involved in N utilization and the candidates with the potential for NUE improvement in dicot Arabidopsis and monocot rice are summarized. In addition, strategies based on new techniques which can be used for dissecting regulatory mechanisms of NUE and also the possible ways in which NUE can be improved in crops are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Bin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chengcai Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and CAS-JIC Centre of Excellence for Plant and Microbial Science (CEPAMS), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Dong J, Piñeros MA, Li X, Yang H, Liu Y, Murphy AS, Kochian LV, Liu D. An Arabidopsis ABC Transporter Mediates Phosphate Deficiency-Induced Remodeling of Root Architecture by Modulating Iron Homeostasis in Roots. MOLECULAR PLANT 2017; 10:244-259. [PMID: 27847325 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The remodeling of root architecture is a major developmental response of plants to phosphate (Pi) deficiency and is thought to enhance a plant's ability to forage for the available Pi in topsoil. The underlying mechanism controlling this response, however, is poorly understood. In this study, we identified an Arabidopsis mutant, hps10 (hypersensitive to Pi starvation 10), which is morphologically normal under Pi sufficient condition but shows increased inhibition of primary root growth and enhanced production of lateral roots under Pi deficiency. hps10 is a previously identified allele (als3-3) of the ALUMINUM SENSITIVE3 (ALS3) gene, which is involved in plant tolerance to aluminum toxicity. Our results show that ALS3 and its interacting protein AtSTAR1 form an ABC transporter complex in the tonoplast. This protein complex mediates a highly electrogenic transport in Xenopus oocytes. Under Pi deficiency, als3 accumulates higher levels of Fe3+ in its roots than the wild type does. In Arabidopsis, LPR1 (LOW PHOSPHATE ROOT1) and LPR2 encode ferroxidases, which when mutated, reduce Fe3+ accumulation in roots and cause root growth to be insensitive to Pi deficiency. Here, we provide compelling evidence showing that ALS3 cooperates with LPR1/2 to regulate Pi deficiency-induced remodeling of root architecture by modulating Fe homeostasis in roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsong Dong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Miguel A Piñeros
- USDA-ARS, Robert Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14580, USA
| | - Xiaoxuan Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haibing Yang
- Department of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2010, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Angus S Murphy
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Leon V Kochian
- Global Institute for Food Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon S7N 4J8, Canada
| | - Dong Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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50
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Pii Y, Alessandrini M, Dall’Osto L, Guardini K, Prinsi B, Espen L, Zamboni A, Varanini Z. Time-Resolved Investigation of Molecular Components Involved in the Induction of [Formula: see text] High Affinity Transport System in Maize Roots. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:1657. [PMID: 27877183 PMCID: PMC5099785 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The induction, i.e., the rapid increase of nitrate ([Formula: see text]) uptake following the exposure of roots to the anion, was studied integrating physiological and molecular levels in maize roots. Responses to [Formula: see text] treatment were characterized in terms of changes in [Formula: see text] uptake rate and plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase activity and related to transcriptional and protein profiles of NRT2, NRT3, and PM H+-ATPase gene families. The behavior of transcripts and proteins of ZmNRT2s and ZmNRT3s suggested that the regulation of the activity of inducible high-affinity transport system (iHATS) is mainly based on the transcriptional/translational modulation of the accessory protein ZmNRT3.1A. Furthermore, ZmNRT2.1 and ZmNRT3.1A appear to be associated in a ∼150 kDa oligomer. The expression trend during the induction of the 11 identified PM H+-ATPase transcripts indicates that those mainly involved in the response to [Formula: see text] treatment are ZmHA2 and ZmHA4. Yet, partial correlation between the gene expression, protein levels and enzyme activity suggests an involvement of post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms of regulation. A non-denaturing Deriphat-PAGE approach allowed demonstrating for the first time that PM H+-ATPase can occur in vivo as hexameric complex together with the already described monomeric and dimeric forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youry Pii
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of BolzanoBolzano, Italy
| | | | - Luca Dall’Osto
- Department of Biotechnology, University of VeronaVerona, Italy
| | - Katia Guardini
- Department of Biotechnology, University of VeronaVerona, Italy
| | - Bhakti Prinsi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Luca Espen
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of MilanoMilano, Italy
| | - Anita Zamboni
- Department of Biotechnology, University of VeronaVerona, Italy
| | - Zeno Varanini
- Department of Biotechnology, University of VeronaVerona, Italy
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