Auxin promotes nitrate uptake by up-regulatingAtNRT1.1 gene transcript level in Arobidopsis thaliana
In order to study the mechanisms of the effects of auxin signaling pathway on nitrate uptake, scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET) and quantitative real-time PCR technique were used to determine net plasma membrane NO3- fluxes and the expression of nitrate transporter AtNRTl. 1 in primary roots of Arabidopsis thaliana wild type Col-0, auxin overproducing mutant yuc1-D, and auxin insensitive mutant axr1-12. Moreover, we examined net plasma membrane NO3- fluxes and the expression of AtNRTl. 1 in primary roots of Col-0 and dual-affinity nitrate transporter mutant nrt1. 1 seedlings under the normal condition ( CK) , the treatment with exogenous IAA or the treatment with the auxin efflux inhibitor 2. 3. 5-triidobenzoid acid ( TIBA). The nitrate uptake and AtNRT1. 1 gene transcript level in yuc1-D seedlings were remarkably enhanced, whereas those in axr1-12 seedlings declined compared with Col-0 seedlings. The exogenous IAA treatment enhanced nitrate uptake and AtNRTl. 1 gene transcript level in Col-0 seedlings, while the TIBA treatment had an opposite effect. Furthermore, the differences of nitrate uptake and AtNRT1. 1 gene transcript level in nrt1. 1 seedlings among CK, IAA and TIBA treatments were insignificant compared with Col-0 seedlings, revealing the important role that AtNRT1. 1 gene played in nitrate uptake pathway response to auxin.