# Plant Nutrient-Growth Signaling Network

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $404,224

## 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 to 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 largely elusive in multicellular
plants. Hampered by gene redundancy and mutant lethality, classical genetic screens had limited
success in 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 reprogramming and
shoot-root coordination to shape organ biomass and architecture. We also recently discovered the
first plant nitrate sensor NLP7 with a dual function as a transcription activator, and the combinatorial
actions of multiple NLPs in controlling the primary nitrate responses (PNR) central to coordinate
plant root and shoot development. 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
integrate complementary strategies and methodologies to advance our understanding of nutrient
signaling mechanisms for three specific aims:
Aim1. Elucidate the function and action of the NLP7 nitrate sensor complex
Aim 2. Dissect the intracellular Ca2+ signaling mechanism triggered by nitrate
Aim 3. Uncover the CPK-TOR link in nitrate signaling
The proposed research to unravel the nitrate signaling mechanisms will establish new paradigms in
the action of nutrient sensor complexes, nutrient-mediated Ca2+ signaling, as well as transcriptional
and developmental regulation with sustained scientific impact beyond plant biology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10933535
- **Project number:** 5R01GM129093-06
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** JEN SHEEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $404,224
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10933535

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10933535, Plant Nutrient-Growth Signaling Network (5R01GM129093-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10933535. Licensed CC0.

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