Plant nitrogen nutrition: sensing and signaling

Curr Opin Plant Biol. 2017 Oct:39:57-65. doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2017.05.010. Epub 2017 Jun 11.

Abstract

In response to external fluctuations of nitrogen (N) supplies, plants can activate complex regulatory networks for optimizing N uptake and utilization. In this review, we highlight novel N-responsive sensors, transporters, and signaling molecules recently identified in the dicot Arabidopsis and the monocot rice, and discuss their potential roles in N sensing and signaling. Furthermore, over the last couple of years, N sensing has been shown to be affected by multiple external factors, which act as local signals to trigger systemic signaling coordinated by long-distance mobile signals. Understanding of this complex regulatory network provides a foundation for the development of novel strategies to increase the root N acquisition efficiency under varying N conditions for crop production.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anion Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Arabidopsis / metabolism*
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Nitrate Transporters
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Oryza / metabolism*
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Anion Transport Proteins
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Nitrate Transporters
  • Plant Proteins
  • ammonium transporters, plant
  • Nitrogen