title: Molecular fundamentals of nitrogen uptake and transport in trees.
abstract: Nitrogen (N) is frequently a limiting factor for tree growth and development. Because N availability is extremely low in forest soils, trees have evolved mechanisms to acquire and transport this essential nutrient along with biotic interactions to guarantee its strict economy. Here we review recent advances in the molecular basis of tree N nutrition. The molecular characteristics, regulation, and biological significance of membrane proteins involved in the uptake and transport of N are addressed. The regulation of N uptake and transport in mycorrhized roots and transcriptome-wide studies of N nutrition are also outlined. Finally, several areas of future research are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Castro-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cañas
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: de la Torre
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Ma Belén
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Concepción
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus Universitario de Teatinos, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Cánovas
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D059467:Transcriptome; D014197:Trees / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Ammonium transporters; forest trees; nitrate transporters; nitrogen economy; tree nutrition.