Genome-wide identification of nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family (NPF) genes reveals that PaNPF5.5 enhances nitrate uptake in sweet cherry under high nitrate condition

NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1 (NRT1)/PEPTIDETRANSPORTER (PTR) family (NPF) plays a significant role in ni-rate transport. However, little is known about the NPF genes in sweet cherry. In this study, a total of 60 PaNPF genes in sweet cherry were identified by bioinformatics, which were divided into 8 families. Transcriptomic analysis showed that most PaNPF genes responded to both low and high nitrate conditions, especially PaNPF5.5, which was highly up-regulated under high nitrate condition. Molecular analysis showed that PaNPF5.5 was a transporter localized to the cell membrane. Further functional studies found that PaNPF5.5 overexpression promoted the growth of sweet cherry rootstock Gisela 6 by accelerating the nitrogen absorption process under high nitrate environment. Taken together, we believe that PaNPF5.5 plays an important role in regulating the transport of nitrate at high nitrate conditions, and provides a promising method for improving nitrate absorption efficiency at nitrogen excess environment.

Automated summary

This study identified NPF genes in sweet cherry and investigated their role in nitrate transport. PaNPF5.5 was found to be highly up-regulated under high nitrate conditions and promoted the growth of sweet cherry by accelerating nitrogen absorption. The findings suggest that PaNPF5.5 plays a significant role in regulating nitrate transport and improving nitrate absorption efficiency.