Genome-Wide Analysis of AMT Gene Family and its Response to Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in Maize

Nitrogen can greatly increase the yield of crops, but excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer in agriculture will cause environmental pollution. Therefore, it is important to find some ways to improve the efficiency of plant nitrogen utilization. Ammonium fertilizer improves maize growth as well as yield. In this process, ammonium transporters (AMTs) play a crucial role. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of ZmAMT genes by bioinformatics analysis. Eight ZmAMT genes were identified in Maize Genomics Database using the Ammonium_transp domain sequence as a BLASTP query. The eight ZmAMT genes were further divided into 2 groups based on protein sequences alignment. Exon-intron structures showed similar classification. Expression patterns of ZmAMT genes in response to arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization were further analyzed by qRT-PCR experiments. Five ZmAMT genes were up-regulated post AM fungal inoculation, suggesting these genes may play a role in the regulation of ammonium transport in AM colonized maize roots. This study provides a better understanding of the ZmAMT gene family and implies five AM-inducible ZmAMTs, which will provide better knowledge of the mechanism by which mycorrhizas improve ammonium uptake.

Automated summary

Nitrogen can increase crop yield, but excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer leads to environmental pollution. Improving plant nitrogen utilization efficiency is important. Ammonium fertilizer enhances maize growth and yield, with ammonium transporters (AMTs) playing a crucial role. Through the study of ZmAMT genes, it was found that five AM-induced ZmAMTs may be involved in the mechanism by which mycorrhizas improve ammonium uptake in maize.