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Updated: May 13, 2026

Lateral Root Inducible System in Arabidopsis and Maize
Published on: January 14, 2016
Arabidopsis NIN-like transcription factors have a central role in nitrate signalling
Mineko Konishi1, Shuichi Yanagisawa
1Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
In plants, nitrate is not only a major nitrogen source but also a signalling molecule that modulates the expression of a wide range of genes and that regulates growth and development. The critical role of nitrate as a signalling molecule has been established for several decades. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the nitrate response have remained elusive, as the transcription factor that primarily responds to nitrate signals has not yet been identified. Here we show that Arabidopsis NIN-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) family proteins bind the nitrate-responsive cis-element and activate nitrate-responsive cis-element-dependent and nitrate-responsive transcription. Our results also suggest that the activity of NLPs is post-translationally modulated by nitrate signalling. Furthermore, the suppression of NLP function impairs the nitrate-inducible expression of a number of genes and causes severe growth inhibition. These results indicate that NLPs are the transcription factors mediating the nitrate signal and thereby function as master regulators of the nitrate response.
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Transcription
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
Short-distance Transport of Resources
Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...

