The Lotus japonicus NPF3.1 Is a Nodule-Induced Gene That Plays a Positive Role in Nodule Functioning

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Lotus japonicus NPF3.1 Is a Nodule-Induced Gene That Plays a Positive Role in Nodule Functioning

AU - Vittozzi, Ylenia

AU - Nadzieja, Marcin

AU - Rogato, Alessandra

AU - Radutoiu, Simona

AU - Valkov, Vladimir Totev

AU - Chiurazzi, Maurizio

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © Copyright © 2021 Vittozzi, Nadzieja, Rogato, Radutoiu, Valkov and Chiurazzi.

PY - 2021/6

Y1 - 2021/6

N2 - Nitrogen-fixing nodules are new organs formed on legume roots as a result of the beneficial interaction with the soil bacteria, rhizobia. Proteins of the nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family (NPF) are largely represented in the subcategory of nodule-induced transporters identified in mature nodules. The role of nitrate as a signal/nutrient regulating nodule functioning has been recently highlighted in the literature, and NPFs may play a central role in both the permissive and inhibitory pathways controlling N2-fixation efficiency. In this study, we present the characterization of the Lotus japonicus LjNPF3.1 gene. LjNPF3.1 is upregulated in mature nodules. Promoter studies show transcriptional activation confined to the cortical region of both roots and nodules. Under symbiotic conditions, Ljnpf3.1-knockout mutant’s display reduced shoot development and anthocyanin accumulation as a result of nutrient deprivation. Altogether, LjNPF3.1 plays a role in maximizing the beneficial outcome of the root nodule symbiosis.

AB - Nitrogen-fixing nodules are new organs formed on legume roots as a result of the beneficial interaction with the soil bacteria, rhizobia. Proteins of the nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family (NPF) are largely represented in the subcategory of nodule-induced transporters identified in mature nodules. The role of nitrate as a signal/nutrient regulating nodule functioning has been recently highlighted in the literature, and NPFs may play a central role in both the permissive and inhibitory pathways controlling N2-fixation efficiency. In this study, we present the characterization of the Lotus japonicus LjNPF3.1 gene. LjNPF3.1 is upregulated in mature nodules. Promoter studies show transcriptional activation confined to the cortical region of both roots and nodules. Under symbiotic conditions, Ljnpf3.1-knockout mutant’s display reduced shoot development and anthocyanin accumulation as a result of nutrient deprivation. Altogether, LjNPF3.1 plays a role in maximizing the beneficial outcome of the root nodule symbiosis.

KW - insertion mutants

KW - Lotus japonicus

KW - N-fixation

KW - nitrate transport

KW - nodule

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85109104850&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3389/fpls.2021.688187

DO - 10.3389/fpls.2021.688187

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34220910

AN - SCOPUS:85109104850

SN - 1664-462X

VL - 12

JO - Frontiers in Plant Science

JF - Frontiers in Plant Science

M1 - 688187

ER -