Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
9.4
4.8
Journals
Biomolecules
Special Issues
Nitrogen Signaling, Transport, and Function in Plants
share announcement

Nitrogen Signaling, Transport, and Function in Plants

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Biological Factors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2024) | Viewed by 22837

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Takushi Hachiya

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Interdisciplinary Center for Science Research, Shimane University, Shimane 690-8504, Japan
Interests: ammonium toxicity; nitrogen signaling; respiration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants utilize nitrate, ammonium, and organic nitrogen compounds in the soil as nitrogen sources. It is widely accepted that these nitrogen compounds act not only as nitrogen sources, but also as signaling molecules. In fact, the supply of nitrogen compounds alters the activities of gene and protein at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels. Recent studies have identified the molecular components that are crucial for nitrogen-dependent signaling, including sensor proteins, transcription factors, kinases, phytohormones, and peptide signals. These components mediate the signaling both locally and systemically and cross-talk with other signaling pathways that respond to abiotic and biotic stimuli. In this way, plants elaborately adjust their growth and nitrogen uptake, assimilation, and distribution, and stress responses to existing environments. This Special Issue will focus on the recent progress in the molecular and physiological mechanisms of nitrogen signaling, transport, and function in model and non-model plants. Experimental approaches, in addition to computational approaches, such as systems biology, modeling, and simulative approaches, are welcome for submission. Furthermore, studies on the cross-talk between nitrogen responses and other environmental responses are acceptable. A better understanding of these mechanisms will shed light on the adaptive strategies of plants to survive in natural environments and may lead to new plant breeding.

Dr. Takushi Hachiya
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nitrogen assimilation
  • nitrogen sensing
  • nitrogen transport
  • nitrogen signaling
  • primary nitrate response
  • systemic nitrogen signaling

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

16 pages, 5135 KiB  
Article
Interaction Between Nitric Oxide and Silicon on Leghaemoglobin and S-Nitrosothiol Levels in Soybean Nodules
by Da-Sol Lee, Ashim Kumar Das, Nusrat Jahan Methela and Byung-Wook Yun
Biomolecules 2024, 14(11), 1417; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14111417 - 7 Nov 2024
Viewed by 853
Abstract
Nitrogen fixation in legume nodules is crucial for plant growth and development. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of nitric oxide [S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)] and silicon [sodium metasilicate (Si)], both individually and in combination, on soybean growth, nodule formation, leghaemoglobin (Lb) synthesis, [...] Read more.
Nitrogen fixation in legume nodules is crucial for plant growth and development. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of nitric oxide [S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)] and silicon [sodium metasilicate (Si)], both individually and in combination, on soybean growth, nodule formation, leghaemoglobin (Lb) synthesis, and potential post-translational modifications. At the V1 stage, soybean plants were treated for 2 weeks with 150 µM GSNO, and Si at concentrations of 1 mM, 2 mM, and 4 mM. The results showed that NO and Si enhance the nodulation process by increasing phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and Nod factors (NIP2-1), attracting rhizobia and accelerating nodule formation. This leads to a greater number and larger diameter of nodules. Individually, NO and Si support the synthesis of Lb and leghaemoglobin protein (Lba) expression, ferric leghaemoglobin reductases (FLbRs), and S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR). However, when used in combination, NO and Si inhibit these processes, leading to elevated levels of S-nitrosothiols in the roots and nodules. This combined inhibition may potentially induce post-translational modifications in FLbRs, pivotal for the reduction of Lb3+ to Lb2+. These findings underscore the critical role of NO and Si in the nodulation process and provide insight into their combined effects on this essential plant function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nitrogen Signaling, Transport, and Function in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2635 KiB  
Article
Alternative Oxidase Alleviates Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress during Limited Nitrate Reduction in Arabidopsis thaliana
by Daisuke Otomaru, Natsumi Ooi, Kota Monden, Takamasa Suzuki, Ko Noguchi, Tsuyoshi Nakagawa and Takushi Hachiya
Biomolecules 2024, 14(8), 989; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14080989 - 11 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1702
Abstract
The conversion of nitrate to ammonium, i.e., nitrate reduction, is a major consumer of reductants in plants. Previous studies have reported that the mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) is upregulated under limited nitrate reduction conditions, including no/low nitrate or when ammonium is the sole [...] Read more.
The conversion of nitrate to ammonium, i.e., nitrate reduction, is a major consumer of reductants in plants. Previous studies have reported that the mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX) is upregulated under limited nitrate reduction conditions, including no/low nitrate or when ammonium is the sole nitrogen (N) source. Electron transfer from ubiquinone to AOX bypasses the proton-pumping complexes III and IV, thereby consuming reductants efficiently. Thus, upregulated AOX under limited nitrate reduction may dissipate excessive reductants and thereby attenuate oxidative stress. Nevertheless, so far there is no firm evidence for this hypothesis due to the lack of experimental systems to analyze the direct relationship between nitrate reduction and AOX. We therefore developed a novel culturing system for A. thaliana that manipulates shoot activities of nitrate reduction and AOX separately without causing N starvation, ammonium toxicity, or lack of nitrate signal. Using shoots processed with this system, we examined genome-wide gene expression and growth to better understand the relationship between AOX and nitrate reduction. The results showed that, only when nitrate reduction was limited, AOX deficiency significantly upregulated genes involved in mitochondrial oxidative stress, reductant shuttles, and non-phosphorylating bypasses of the respiratory chain, and inhibited growth. Thus, we conclude that AOX alleviates mitochondrial oxidative stress and sustains plant growth under limited nitrate reduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nitrogen Signaling, Transport, and Function in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

21 pages, 1569 KiB  
Review
The Role of Glutamine Synthetase (GS) and Glutamate Synthase (GOGAT) in the Improvement of Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Cereals
by Stefania Fortunato, Domenica Nigro, Cecilia Lasorella, Ilaria Marcotuli, Agata Gadaleta and Maria Concetta de Pinto
Biomolecules 2023, 13(12), 1771; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13121771 - 10 Dec 2023
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4900
Abstract
Cereals are the most broadly produced crops and represent the primary source of food worldwide. Nitrogen (N) is a critical mineral nutrient for plant growth and high yield, and the quality of cereal crops greatly depends on a suitable N supply. In the [...] Read more.
Cereals are the most broadly produced crops and represent the primary source of food worldwide. Nitrogen (N) is a critical mineral nutrient for plant growth and high yield, and the quality of cereal crops greatly depends on a suitable N supply. In the last decades, a massive use of N fertilizers has been achieved in the desire to have high yields of cereal crops, leading to damaging effects for the environment, ecosystems, and human health. To ensure agricultural sustainability and the required food source, many attempts have been made towards developing cereal crops with a more effective nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). NUE depends on N uptake, utilization, and lastly, combining the capability to assimilate N into carbon skeletons and remobilize the N assimilated. The glutamine synthetase (GS)/glutamate synthase (GOGAT) cycle represents a crucial metabolic step of N assimilation, regulating crop yield. In this review, the physiological and genetic studies on GS and GOGAT of the main cereal crops will be examined, giving emphasis on their implications in NUE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nitrogen Signaling, Transport, and Function in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 3523 KiB  
Review
Nitrogen Journey in Plants: From Uptake to Metabolism, Stress Response, and Microbe Interaction
by Omar Zayed, Omar A. Hewedy, Ali Abdelmoteleb, Mohammed Ali, Mohamed S. Youssef, Ahmed F. Roumia, Danelle Seymour and Ze-Chun Yuan
Biomolecules 2023, 13(10), 1443; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13101443 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 58 | Viewed by 12675
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 [...] Read more.
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. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nitrogen Signaling, Transport, and Function in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

13 pages, 4105 KiB  
Brief Report
Effects of Storage Temperatures on Nitrogen Assimilation and Remobilization during Post-Harvest Senescence of Pak Choi
by Savitha Dhandapani, Vidya Susan Philip, Shaik Anwar Ahamed Nabeela Nasreen, Alice Mei Xien Tan, Praveen Kumar Jayapal, Rajeev J. Ram and Bong Soo Park
Biomolecules 2023, 13(10), 1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13101540 - 18 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1850
Abstract
In the agricultural industry, the post-harvest leafy vegetable quality and shelf life significantly influence market value and consumer acceptability. This study examined the effects of different storage temperatures on leaf senescence, nitrogen assimilation, and remobilization in Pak Choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis [...] Read more.
In the agricultural industry, the post-harvest leafy vegetable quality and shelf life significantly influence market value and consumer acceptability. This study examined the effects of different storage temperatures on leaf senescence, nitrogen assimilation, and remobilization in Pak Choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis). Mature Pak Choi plants were harvested and stored at two different temperatures, 4 °C and 25 °C. Senescence was tracked via chlorophyll content and leaf yellowing. Concurrently, alterations in the total nitrogen, nitrate, and protein content were quantified on days 0, 3, 6, and 9 in old, mid, and young leaves of Pak Choi plants. As expected, 4 °C alleviated chlorophyll degradation and delayed senescence of Pak Choi compared to 25 °C. Total nitrogen and protein contents were inversely correlated, while the nitrate content remained nearly constant across leaf groups at 25 °C. Additionally, the transcript levels of genes involved in nitrogen assimilation and remobilization revealed key candidate genes that were differentially expressed between 4 °C and 25 °C, which might be targeted to extend the shelf life of the leafy vegetables. Thus, this study provides pivotal insights into the molecular and physiological responses of Pak Choi to post-harvest storage conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nitrogen Signaling, Transport, and Function in Plants)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop