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Updated: May 20, 2026

Plant Promoter Analysis: Identification and Characterization of Root Nodule Specific Promoter in the Common Bean
Published on: December 23, 2017
Glutamine synthetase in root tips promotes root elongation via facilitating nucleotide metabolism under nitrogen
Yihao Wei1, Xi Zhang2, Siying Wang2
1Research and Experiment Station of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loss in Farmland of the Yellow River Basin in Henan Province, College of Life Science, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China; College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
Abstract:
Nitrogen deficiency is a major limiting factor for plant growth, yet the mechanisms underlying root growth under nitrogen-deficient conditions remain unclear. This study examined how glutamine synthetase (GS) in root tips mediates primary root elongation in wheat under nitrogen deficiency. We found that GS activity increased in root tips under nitrogen-limited conditions, promoting cell division in the meristematic zone by providing glutamine (Gln) for nucleotide biosynthesis. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that GS coordinated nitrogen assimilation with carbon skeletons flowing into glycolysis and the TCA cycle, ensuring a sufficient nucleotide supply for cell division. TaGS1; 1, predominantly expressed in the meristematic zone, appears to be the key isoenzyme mediating these processes. This study shows that GS in root tips supports root elongation by driving nucleotide metabolism through Gln provision under nitrogen deficiency. These findings offer new insights into nitrogen signaling in root elongation and suggest potential strategies for improving nitrogen use efficiency in crops.
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