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Nitrogen Metabolism in Plants pp 1–13Cite as

An Overview of Important Enzymes Involved in Nitrogen Assimilation of Plants

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2057))

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is a macro-nutrient that is essential for growth development and resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses of plants. Nitrogen is a constituent of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, and various primary and secondary metabolites. The atmosphere contains huge amounts of nitrogen but it cannot be taken up directly by plants. Plants can take up nitrogen in the form of nitrate, ammonium, urea, nitrite, or a combination of all these forms. In addition, in various leguminous rhizobia, bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia and supply it to the plants. The form of nitrogen nutrition is also important in plant growth and resistance against pathogens. Nitrogen content has an important function in crop yield. Nitrogen deficiency can cause reduced root growth, change in root architecture, reduced plant biomass, and reduced photosynthesis. Hence, understanding the function and regulation of N metabolism is important. Several enzymes and intermediates are involved in nitrogen assimilation. Here we provide an overview of the important enzymes such as nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthase, GOGAT, glutamate dehydrogenase, and alanine aminotransferase that are involved in nitrogen metabolism.

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  1. National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India

    Reddy Kishorekumar, Mallesham Bulle, Aakanksha Wany & Kapuganti Jagadis Gupta

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    Kapuganti Jagadis Gupta

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Kishorekumar, R., Bulle, M., Wany, A., Gupta, K.J. (2020). An Overview of Important Enzymes Involved in Nitrogen Assimilation of Plants. In: Gupta, K. (eds) Nitrogen Metabolism in Plants. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2057. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9790-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9790-9_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-9789-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-9790-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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