The plant PTR/NRT1(peptide transporter/nitrate transporter 1)gene family com—prises di/tripeptide and low affinity nitrate transporters;some members also recognize other substrates like phytohormones(auxin and abscisic acid)and defence compound glucosinolate.Little is known about members of this gene family in rice(Oryza sativa L.).Here,we report the influence of altered OsPTR9 expression on nitrogen use efficiency,growth and grain yield.OsPTR9 expression is regulated by the exogenous nitrogen source and by the day-night cycle.Elevated expression of OsPTR9 in transgenic rice plants resulted in enhanced ammonium uptake,promotion of lateral root formation,and increased grain yield.On the other hand,downregulation of OsPTR9 in a T-DNA insertion line(osptr9)and in the 0sPTR9一RNAi rice plants had the opposite effect.These results suggest that OsPTR9 may hold potential in improving nitrogen use efficiency and grain yield for rice breeding.
