Increased proline loading to phloem and its effects on nitrogen uptake and assimilation in water-stressed white clover (Trifolium repens).
The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological significance of increased proline loading to phloem caused by water-deficit stress in relation to nitrogen (N) uptake and assimilation. N uptake and N assimilation were quantified by 15N tracing in well-watered (control) and water deficit-stressed white clover (Trifolium repens). De novo proline synthesis and proline loading to the phloem were also compared between treatments. The relationships among proline concentrations in phloem exudates, N uptake, and assimilation of newly absorbed N were assessed. The newly synthesized proline in the phloem exudates increased rapidly after 3 d of water deficit. The water-deficit treatment significantly reduced the maximum nitrate reductase activity (NRA), and also attenuated de novo synthesis of amino acids and proteins in the roots. The increase in proline concentrations in phloem exudates was closely related to reductions in NRA in the roots, N uptake, and the assimilation of newly absorbed N. The accumulation of proline induced in roots by exogenous proline and NH4Cl treatments was closely associated with the decrease in NRA. These results indicate that increased proline transport to roots via phloem caused by water deficit has a significant influence on the down-regulation of N uptake and the assimilation of newly absorbed N.
Lee
Bok-Rye
BR
Department of Animal Science, Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Environment-Friendly Agriculture Research Center (EFARC), College of Agriculture & Life Science, Chonnam National University, Buk-Gwangju PO Box 205, Gwangju, 500-600, Korea.|Present address: Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
Jin
Yu Lan
YL
College of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Qingdao Agriculture University, Qingdao City, Shandong, China.
Avice
Jean-Christophe
JC
INRA, UMR INRA-UCBN, Écophysiologie Végétale, Agronomie et Nutritions NCS, Institut de Biologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, IFR 146 ICORE, Université de Caen, F-14032 Caen Cedex, France.
Cliquet
Jean-Bernard
JB
INRA, UMR INRA-UCBN, Écophysiologie Végétale, Agronomie et Nutritions NCS, Institut de Biologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, IFR 146 ICORE, Université de Caen, F-14032 Caen Cedex, France.
Ourry
Alain
A
INRA, UMR INRA-UCBN, Écophysiologie Végétale, Agronomie et Nutritions NCS, Institut de Biologie Fondamentale et Appliquée, IFR 146 ICORE, Université de Caen, F-14032 Caen Cedex, France.
Kim
Tae-Hwan
TH
Department of Animal Science, Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Environment-Friendly Agriculture Research Center (EFARC), College of Agriculture & Life Science, Chonnam National University, Buk-Gwangju PO Box 205, Gwangju, 500-600, Korea.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D018533:Biomass; D003681:Dehydration; D050901:Nitrate Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D052585:Phloem / Q000378:metabolism*; D010788:Photosynthesis; D053147:Plant Exudates / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000201:enzymology; D011392:Proline / Q000378:metabolism*; D029921:Trifolium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
D000596:Amino Acids; D009566:Nitrates; D053147:Plant Exudates; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011392:Proline; D050901:Nitrate Reductase; D009584:Nitrogen