Isolation and functional characterization of a high affinity urea transporter from roots of Zea mays.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite its extensive use as a nitrogen fertilizer, the role of urea as a directly accessible nitrogen source for crop plants is still poorly understood. So far, the physiological and molecular aspects of urea acquisition have been investigated only in few plant species highlighting the importance of a high-affinity transport system. With respect to maize, a worldwide-cultivated crop requiring high amounts of nitrogen fertilizer, the mechanisms involved in the transport of urea have not yet been identified. The aim of the present work was to characterize the high-affinity urea transport system in maize roots and to identify the high affinity urea transporter.

Results

Kinetic characterization of urea uptake (<300 μM) demonstrated the presence in maize roots of a hi

SUBMITTER: Zanin L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4160556 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature