An integrated nitrogen utilization gene network and transcriptome analysis reveal candidate genes in response to nitrogen deficiency in Brassica napus

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science Vol. 14; p. 1187552
• Main Authors: Li, Pengfeng, Du, Runjie, Li, Zhaopeng, Chen, Zhuo, Li, Jiana, Du, Hai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 09.05.2023
• Subjects: Brassica napus; evolution; expression; genes; nitrogen; Plant Science; RNA-seq; Brassica napus; expression; evolution; RNA-seq; genes; nitrogen
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1187552

Nitrogen (N) is an essential factor for crop yield. Here, we characterized 605 genes from 25 gene families that form the complex gene networks of N utilization pathway in . We found unequal gene distribution between the A - and C -sub-genomes, and that genes derived from were more retained. Transcriptome analysis indicated that N utilization pathway gene activity shifted in a spatio-temporal manner in . A low N (LN) stress RNA-seq of seedling leaves and roots was generated, which proved that most N utilization related genes were sensitive to LN stress, thereby forming co-expression network modules. Nine candidate genes in N utilization pathway were confirmed to be significantly induced under N deficiency conditions in roots, indicating their potential roles in LN stress response process. Analyses of 22 representative species confirmed that the N utilization gene networks were widely present in plants ranging from Chlorophyta to angiosperms with a rapid expansion trend. Consistent with , the genes in this pathway commonly showed a wide and conserved expression profile in response to N stress in other plants. The network, genes, and gene-regulatory modules identified here represent resources that may enhance the N utilization efficiency or the LN tolerance of .