Research Progress on Role of Transcription Factor TGA in Nitrogen Absorption, Transport and Assimilation in Plants

doi:10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0686

Abstract

Abstract:

Nitrogen is one of the critical nutrient element for plant growth and development, and its uptake, transport, and assimilation are finely regulated by multiple transcription factors. Among the bZIP transcription factor family, the TGACG motif-binding factor (TGA) has been confirmed to play a central regulatory role in plant nitrogen metabolism. To clarify its molecular regulatory pathways, this review systematically summarizes the molecular characteristics of TGA transcription factors, with a focus on their core functions in nitrate uptake, root development regulation, and nitrogen assimilation. We further analyze the molecular mechanisms by which TGA participates in nitrogen metabolism through hormone signaling pathways—including salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA)/ethylene (ET), and abscisic acid (ABA), as well as redox modifications. The results indicate that: (1) TGA transcription factors belong to subfamily D of the bZIP family, and are divided into five subgroups. They are highly conserved in various plants such as Arabidopsis and rice; (2) they positively promote nitrogen uptake and transport by activating the expression of NRT family genes and modulating root development, and form regulatory networks with factors such as NLP7 (NIN-like protein 7); (3) through hormone signaling crosstalk and redox modifications, TGA factors respond to stresses such as low nitrogen and help maintain nitrogen metabolic homeostasis. In summary, TGA transcription factors serve as key nodes in the regulatory network of plant nitrogen metabolism, coordinately regulating nitrogen uptake, transport, and assimilation through multiple pathways. Future studies should integrate multi-omics and gene-editing technologies to elucidate the organ-specific functions, interaction networks, and species-specific variations of TGA, thereby providing a theoretical basis and breeding strategies for improving nitrogen-use efficiency in crops.

Key words: nitrogen, uptake and translocation, assimilation, TGACG motif-binding factor (TGA), hormonal regulation, redox modification

LIU Zheyang, FENG Dianxing, ZOU Liangping, RUAN Mengbin, YU Xiaoling, LI Shuxia, LI Wenbin, ZHAO Pingjuan. Research Progress on Role of Transcription Factor TGA in Nitrogen Absorption, Transport and Assimilation in Plants[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2026, 42(2): 65-70.

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