TY - EJOU
AU - Ullah, Saif
AU - Ali, Izhar
TI - Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Nitrogen Assimilation in C3 Plants under Abiotic Stress: A Mini Review
T2 - Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany
PY - 2025
VL - 94
IS - 4
SN - 1851-5657
AB - Nitrogen (N) assimilation is crucial for the growth and development of C3 plants, as it converts inorganic N into organic forms, important for protein synthesis, nucleic acids and other vital biomolecules. However, abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures and others significantly impact N uptake and utilization, thereby hindering plant growth and development. Recent advances in molecular biology have illuminated the complex networks that govern N assimilation under these stressful conditions, emphasizing the role of transcription factors, regulatory genes, and stress-responsive pathways. This review provides an integrated perspective on the latest research in nitrogen metabolism under abiotic stress, focusing on the intricate regulatory mechanisms involving gene expression, signaling pathways, and enzymes that modulate N uptake and assimilation. Specifically, it highlights the recent findings on how hormones, reactive oxygen species production, N metabolism and calcium signaling are regulated under stress conditions. In addition, recent advancements in genomics and transcriptomics have further clarified the dynamic regulation of genes linked to N absorption and other metabolic processes. Understanding these mechanisms is important for developing strategies to enhance the N use efficiency and stress tolerance in C3 crops, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture and food security. Future research should focus on exploring the genetic and molecular bases of N metabolism in relation to abiotic stress, with the ultimate goal of enhancing crop performance in challenging environments.
KW - C3 plants; abiotic stress; nitrogen metabolism; transcription factors
DO - 10.32604/phyton.2025.064608