ZmNRT1.1B (ZmNPF6.6) determines nitrogen use efficiency via regulation of nitrate transport and assimilation in maize
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ABSTRACT: Nitrate (NO3-) is crucial for optimal plant growth and development and often limits crop productivity at the low availability. In comparison with model plant Arabidopsis, the molecular mechanisms underlying NO3- acquisition and utilization remain largely unclear in maize. In particular, only a few genes have been exploited to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Here, we demonstrated that NO3--inducible ZmNRT1.1B (ZmNPF6.6) positively regulated NO3--dependent growth and NUE in maize. We showed that the tandem duplicated proteoform ZmNRT1.1C is irrelevant to maize seedling growth under nitrate supply, however, loss-of-function of ZmNRT1.1B significantly weakened plant growth under adequate NO3- supply in both hydroponic and field conditions. 15N-labeled NO3- absorption assay indicated that ZmNRT1.1B mediated high-affinity NO3--transport and root-to-shoot NO3- translocation. Furthermore, upon NO3- supply, ZmNRT1.1B promotes cytoplasmic-to-nuclear shuttling of ZmNLP3.1 (ZmNLP8), which co-regulates the expression of genes involved in NO3- response, cytokinin biosynthesis and carbon metabolism. Remarkably, overexpression of ZmNRT1.1B in modern maize hybrids improved grain yield under nitrogen (N) limiting fields. Taken together, our study revealed a crucial role of ZmNRT1.1B in high-affinity NO3- transport and signaling and offers valuable genetic resource for breeding nitrogen use efficient high-yield cultivars.
ORGANISM(S): Zea mays
PROVIDER: GSE227472 | GEO | 2023/04/25
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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