LjAMT2;2 Promotes Ammonium Nitrogen Transport during Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Symbiosis in Lotus japonicus

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are important symbiotic microorganisms in soil that engage in symbiotic relationships with legumes, resulting in mycorrhizal symbiosis. Establishment of strong symbiotic relationships between AMF and legumes promotes the absorption of nitrogen by plants. Ammonium nitrogen can be directly utilised by plants following ammonium transport, but there are few reports on ammonium transporters (AMTs) promoting ammonium nitrogen transport during AM symbiosis. Lotus japonicus is a typical legume model plant that hosts AMF. In this study, we analysed the characteristics of the Lotus japonicus ammonium transporter LjAMT2;2, and found that it is a typical ammonium transporter with mycorrhizal-induced and ammonium nitrogen transport-related cis-acting elements in its promoter region. LjAMT2;2 facilitated ammonium transfer in yeast mutant supplement experiments. In the presence of different nitrogen concentrations, the LjAMT2;2 gene was significantly upregulated following inoculation with AMF, and induced by low nitrogen. Overexpression of LjAMT2;2 increased the absorption of ammonium nitrogen, resulting in doubling of nitrogen content in leaves and roots, thus alleviating nitrogen stress and promoting plant growth.