转录因子ZmNCR1调控玉米氮养分高效转运的分子机制

氮是植物生长发育所必需的矿质营养元素，也是决定作物产量性状的重要因子。玉米是我国种植面积和产量最大的农作物，对氮肥需求巨大，但我国玉米品种的氮肥利用效率较低，急需改良，而目前有关玉米氮养分效率性状的研究还非常有限。本项目前期通过对236份玉米自交系进行全基因组关联分析，筛选到转录因子ZmNCR1参与调控低氮下硝酸根从根到冠的转运。初步研究结果表明，ZmNCR1可以直接调控硝酸根转运体基因ZmNRT的转录，从而影响硝酸根的根冠转运。本项目拟深入解析ZmNCR1调控玉米氮高效转运的分子机制，阐明其对玉米氮效率性状和产量性状的调控作用，挖掘该基因的优良等位变异，为玉米氮养分高效性状的遗传改良提供理论基础。

Nitrogen (N) is one of essential nutrient elements for plant growth and development, and it also determines crop yield. Maize has maximum planting area and total yield in China, thus it demands a huge number of nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, genetic improvement of maize nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) is urgently required. However, the molecular mechanisms of maize NUE are little known. Using GWAS method, we have identified a transcription factor gene ZmNCR1 that is involved in the regulation of root-to-shoot nitrate transport in maize. Preliminary data indicated that ZmNCR1 directly regulates the expression of nitrate transporter gene ZmNRT that may modulate root-to-shoot nitrate transport. In this project, we will characterize the physiological functions and regulatory mechanisms of ZmNCR1 in maize nitrate transport, then identify the excellent allelic variation of ZmNCR1. The prospective results of this project would provide the theory and approach for the improvement of maize NUE.