Ferredoxin-mediated mechanism for efficient nitrogen utilization in maize.

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plant development and, ultimately, yield. Identifying the genetic components and mechanisms underlying N use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) is thus of great importance.

Nitrate availability controls translocation of the transcription factor NAC075 for cell-type-specific reprogramming of root growth.

Plant root architecture flexibly adapts to changing nitrate (NO) availability in the soil; however, the underlying molecular mechanism of this adaptive development remains under-studied. To explore the regulation of NO-mediated root growth, we screened for low-nitrate-resistant mutant (lonr) and identified mutants that were defective in the NAC transcription factor NAC075 (lonr1) as being less sensitive to low NO in terms of primary root growth. We show that NAC075 is a mobile transcription factor relocating from the root stele tissues to the endodermis based on NO availability.