Functional characterization of an ammonium transporter gene from Lotus japonicus

• Published in: Gene Vol. 270; no. 1-2; pp. 237 - 243
• Main Authors: Salvemini, F, Marini, A, Riccio, A, Patriarca, E J, Chiurazzi, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 30.05.2001
• Subjects: 1 gene; Amino Acid Sequence; ammonium transporter; AMT1 gene; Carrier Proteins - genetics; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Cation Transport Proteins; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell Division - genetics; DNA, Plant - chemistry; DNA, Plant - genetics; Exons; Genes, Plant - genetics; Introns; LjAMT1; Lotus japonicus; Methylamines - metabolism; Methylamines - pharmacology; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutation; Plant Proteins; Plants - genetics; Plasmids - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - drug effects; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism; Sequence Alignment; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
• ISSN: 0378-1119
• DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(01)00470-x

NH(4)(+) is the main product of symbiotic nitrogen fixation and the external concentration of combined nitrogen plays a key regulatory role in all the different step of plant-rhizobia interaction. We report the cloning and characterization of the first member of the ammonium transporter family, LjAMT1;1 from a leguminous plant, Lotus japonicus. Sequence analysis reveals a close relationship to plant transporters of the AMT1 family. The wild type and two mutated versions of LjAMT1;1 were expressed and functionally characterized in yeast. LjAMT1;1 is transcribed in roots, leaves and nodules of L. japonicus plants grown under low nitrogen conditions, consistent with a role in uptake of NH(4)(+) by the plant cells.