Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
09:23
Lateral Root Inducible System in Arabidopsis and Maize
Published on: January 14, 2016
Modelling the short-term response to nitrogen that coordinates events in lateral root initiation
Allison Gaudinier1,2, Lisa Van den Broeck3, Miguel Moreno-Risueno4
1Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, USA.
Quantitative Plant Biology
|June 22, 2026
Summary
Researchers identified key transcription factors (TFs) controlling early root development in response to nitrogen availability. They found ERF107 influences general lateral root growth, while LBD13 is crucial under nitrogen-limiting conditions.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient critical for plant growth and development.
- Plant root system architecture is highly sensitive to environmental nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing early root responses to nitrogen is vital for optimizing crop yields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel factors involved in the early root system architecture responses of *Arabidopsis thaliana* to varying nitrogen conditions.
- To infer transcriptional regulatory networks associated with nitrogen availability.
- To elucidate the specific roles of transcription factors in early lateral root development under different nitrogen statuses.
Main Methods:
- Performed *Arabidopsis thaliana* root transcriptome profiling over a short-term time course under limiting and sufficient nitrogen conditions.
- Inferred transcriptional regulatory networks to identify condition-specific responses, including jasmonate signaling.
- Utilized single-cell-identity specific transcriptome datasets for lateral roots to model transcription factor roles in early development.
- Integrated transcriptomic data, mutant phenotypes, and cell-type specific profiling to identify and test transcription factor functions.
Main Results:
- Transcriptome profiling revealed nitrogen-condition specific jasmonate responses.
- The transcription factor ERF107 was identified as playing a generalized role in lateral root development.
- The transcription factor LBD13 was found to be specifically involved in responses to nitrogen-limiting conditions.
- Early root patterning responses to nitrogen conditions were linked to specific transcription factors.
Conclusions:
- Novel transcription factors, ERF107 and LBD13, have been identified as key regulators of root system architecture in response to nitrogen availability.
- ERF107 plays a broad role in lateral root development, while LBD13 is specifically important under nitrogen limitation.
- The study provides insights into the molecular basis of plant adaptation to nutrient status, with implications for agricultural science.
Related Concept Videos
02:12Short-distance Transport of Resources
Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.
03:02Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots
Vascular plants, which account for over 90% of the Earth’s vegetation, all undergo primary growth—which lengthens roots and shoots. Many land plants, notably woody plants, also undergo secondary growth—which thickens roots and shoots.
02:26Responses to Gravity and Touch
Gravitropism: Plant Responses to Gravity
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...
02:34Water and Mineral Acquisition
Specialized tissues in plant roots have evolved to capture water, minerals, and some ions from the soil. Roots exhibit a variety of branching patterns that facilitate this process. The outermost root cells have specialized structures called root hairs that increase the root surface, thus increasing soil contact. Water can passively cross into roots, as the concentration of water in the soil is higher than that of the root tissue. Minerals, in contrast, are actively transported into root cells.
02:36Meristems and Plant Growth
Plants grow throughout their lives; this is called indeterminate growth, and it distinguishes plants from most animals. Although certain parts of plants stop growing (e.g., leaves and flowers), others grow continuously—like roots and stems.