# Plant Nutrient-Growth Signaling Network

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $395,975

## Abstract

Nutrient signaling integrates and coordinates gene expression, metabolism and growth. In
multicellular organisms, growth factors and hormones are ineffective in growth promotion without
the support of nutrient signaling networks. However, surprisingly little is known about the primary
nutrient signaling mechanisms in plants and animals. Plants play a central role in bridging the
conversion of inorganic nitrogen to organic nitrogen in the global nitrogen cycle by assimilating
inorganic nitrate to generate amino acids, nucleic acids, and organic nitrogen-carbon molecules,
which are essential to build and sustain lives from plants and humans. Despite the fundamental and
multifaceted regulatory roles of nitrate in gene expression, metabolism, growth and development,
the molecular and cellular mechanisms of nitrate signaling remain mostly elusive in multicellular
plants. Hampered by gene redundancy and mutant lethality, classical genetic screens had limited
success for identifying key nitrate signaling components in plants over the past two decades. By
taking integrated molecular, cellular, biochemical, functional genomic, chemical genetic and
systems analyses, we have discovered a surprising molecular link between specific Ca2+-sensor
protein kinases (CPKs) and the NODULE INCEPTION-LIKE PROTEIN (NLP) transcription factors
as the primary regulators of the nitrate-signaling network in plants. Our research has demonstrated
the unique role of nitrate as a central signaling molecule in transcriptome reprograming and shoot-
root coordination to shape organ biomass and architecture. We propose to build on our new
findings and innovative experimental platforms to elucidate the molecular and cellular basis of the
nutrient-growth network that orchestrates system-wide transcription and modulates plant
developmental processes. We will implement complementary strategies and methodologies to
advance our understanding of nutrient signaling mechanisms via elucidating the biological functions
of Ca2+-CPK signaling in nutrient-coupled transcription responses essential to all life forms. We will
analyze the nitrate sensing and signaling mechanism by transporters/sensors, and uncover the
cellular and molecular mechanism of novel nitrate signaling components. The proposed research
on unraveling the signaling mechanisms mediated by the nitrate-CPK-NLP relay,
transporter/sensor, and novel nutrient regulators will establish new paradigms in nutrient-mediated
transcriptional and developmental regulation with sustained scientific impact beyond plant biology.
Aim 1. Elucidate the nitrate-CPK-NLP signaling relay in plant nutrient-growth network
Aim 2. Analyze nitrate nutrient sensing and signaling mechanisms
Aim 3. Uncover the molecular and cellular action of novel nitrate signaling components

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10173835
- **Project number:** 5R01GM129093-04
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** JEN SHEEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $395,975
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10173835

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10173835, Plant Nutrient-Growth Signaling Network (5R01GM129093-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10173835. Licensed CC0.

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