The wheat AMT2 (AMmonium Transporter) family, possible functions in ammonium uptake and pathogenic/symbiotic interactions

Abstract

Ammonium uptake into wheat roots relies primarily on two AMmonium Transporters of subfamily one, while the wheat genome comprises 4 to 6 AMT2 type transporters. Plant AMT2s generally show functions in root-to-shoot translocation or pathogenic and symbiotic plant–microorganism interactions. We addressed the activity of TaAMT2s in ammonium transport. Nitrogen-dependent expression implicated a physiological function in ammonium uptake for TaAMT2;1 and in ammonium distribution for TaAMT2;2-6.