Nitrogen assimilation related genes in brassica napus: Systematic characterization and expression analysis identified hub genes in multiple nutrient stress responses

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plants. However, little is known about the molecular regulation of N assimilation in Brassica napus, one of the most important oil crops worldwide. Here, we carried out a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the N assimilation related genes (NAGs) in B. napus. A total of 67 NAGs were identified encoding major enzymes involved in N assimilation, including asparagine synthetase (AS), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT), glutamine synthetase (GS), nitrite reductase (NiR), nitrate reductase (NR). The syntenic analysis revealed that segmental duplication and whole-genome duplication were the main expansion pattern during gene evolution. Each NAG family showed different degrees of differentiation in characterization, gene structure, conserved motifs and cis-elements. Furthermore, diverse responses of NAG to multiple nutrient stresses were observed. Among them, more NAGs were regulated by N deficiency and ammonium toxicity than by phosphorus and potassium deprivations. Moreover, 12 hub genes responding to N starvation were identified, which may play vital roles in N utilization. Taken together, our results provide a basis for further functional research of NAGs in rapeseed N assimilation and also put forward new points in their responses to contrasting nutrient stresses.