Mutation of a nitrate transporter, AtNRT1:4, results in a reduced petiole nitrate content and altered leaf development

Chi Chou Chiu, Choun Sea Lin, An Ping Hsia, Ruey Chih Su, Huey Ling Lin, Yi Fang Tsay

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182 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Unlike nitrate uptake of plant roots, less is known at the molecular level about how nitrate is distributed in various plant tissues. In the present study, characterization of the nitrate transporter, AtNRT1:4, revealed a special role of petiole in nitrate homeostasis. Electrophysiological studies using Xenopus oocytes showed that AtNRT1:4 was a low-affinity nitrate transporter. Whole-mount in situ hybridization and RT-PCR demonstrated that AtNRT1:4 was expressed in the leaf petiole. In the wild type, the leaf petiole had low nitrate reductase activity, but a high nitrate content, indicating that it is the storage site for nitrate, whereas, in the atnrt1:4 mutant, the petiole nitrate content was reduced to 50-64% of the wild-type level. Moreover, atnrt1:4 mutant leaves were wider than wild-type leaves. This study revealed a critical role of AtNRT1:4 in regulating leaf nitrate homeostasis, and the deficiency of AtNRT1: 4 can alter leaf development.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1139-1148
Number of pages10
JournalPlant and Cell Physiology
Volume45
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004 Sept

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physiology
  • Plant Science
  • Cell Biology

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