A transceptor-channel complex couples nitrate sensing to calcium signaling in Arabidopsis

Abstract

Nitrate-induced Ca²⁺ signaling is crucial for the primary nitrate response in plants. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the generation of the nitrate-specific calcium signature remains unknown. We report here that a cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (CNGC) protein, CNGC15, and the nitrate transceptor (NRT1.1) constitute a molecular switch that controls calcium influx depending on nitrate levels. The expression of CNGC15 is induced by nitrate, and its protein is localized at the plasma membrane after establishment of young seedlings. We found that disruption of CNGC15 results in the loss of the nitrate-induced Ca²⁺ signature (primary nitrate response) and retards root growth, reminiscent of the phenotype observed in the nrt1.1 mutant. We further showed that CNGC15 is an active Ca²⁺-permeable channel that physically interacts with the NRT1.1 protein in the plasma membrane. Importantly, we discovered that CNGC15-NRT1.1 interaction silences the channel activity of the heterocomplex, which dissociates upon a rise in nitrate levels, leading to reactivation of the CNGC15 channel. The dynamic interactions between CNGC15 and NRT1.1 therefore control the channel activity and Ca²⁺ influx in a nitrate-dependent manner. Our study reveals a new nutrient-sensing mechanism that utilizes a nutrient transceptor-channel complex assembly to couple nutrient status to a specific Ca²⁺ signature.

Keywords: calcium channel; calcium signature; nitrate transceptor; nutrient sensing; primary nitrate response.