Nitrate^_dependent suberization regulates cadmium uptake and accumulation in maize

In this study, effect of nitrate-dependent suberization in maize root on cadmium (Cd) uptake and accumulation was investigated. Suberization in maize roots was significantly lower in plants grown with a high nitrate supply compared with low nitrate. This decrease was seen in the total amount of suberin, in which the aliphatic suberin amount was significantly decreased, whereas no difference in aromatic suberin content between different N-treatments. RNA-sequencing showed that suberin biosynthesis genes were upregulated in low nitrate treatment, which correlated well with the increased suberin content. Bioimaging and xylem sap analysis showed that reduced exodermal and endodermal suberization in roots of plants grown under high nitrate promoted radial Cd transport along the crown root. The enhanced suberization in crown roots of plants grown in low nitrate restricted the radial transport of Cd from epidermis to cortex via decreased accessibility to Cd related transporters at the plasmalemma. Also, under low nitrate supply, the Cd transport gene ZmNramp5 was upregulated in the crown root, which may enhance Cd uptake by root tip where exodermis and endodermis were not fully suberized. These results suggest that high nitrate supply enhances Cd uptake and radial transport in maize roots by reducing exodermal and endodermal suberization.