A DUF630 and 632 domains-containing protein, ZmNRL1, acts as a positive regulator of nitrogen stress response in maize

Nitrogen (N) is a key macronutrient whose availability often determines maize growth and productivity. Improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is critical to increase maize yield while reducing N input, and more importantly, alleviating environmental pollution. However, only a few genes have been exploited for maize NUE improvement thus far. Here, we identified 44 candidate genes associated with NUE-related traits by performing a genome-wide association analysis in a maize natural population. We further found that the natural variations in ZmNRL1, encoding a DUF630 and DUF632 domains-containing protein, strongly associated with chlorophyll content under N starvation. Loss function of ZmNRL1 reduced nitrogen content and weakened plant growth under hydroponic and soil conditions, whereas overexpression of ZmNRL1 conferred better tolerance to N stress and elevated yields in transgenic maize and Arabidopsis. Comparative transcriptome analysis further revealed that ZmNRL1 has a broad impact ..., , , # A DUF630 and 632 domains-containing protein, ZmNRL1, acts as a positive regulator of nitrogen stress response in maize [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.18931zd4b](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.18931zd4b) ## Description of the data and file structure ### Fig.\_2.\_All\_sequence\_of\_ZmNRL1\_from\_43\_inbred\_lines.fasta. * Description: The resequencing of ZmNRL1 data of 43 maize inbred lines. ~4.6 kb genomic region was amplified using specific primers designed based on B73 genome sequences. ### Figure 1B.csv * Description: Box-plots of six NUE-related traits in a maize collection with different origins. Described in Materials and Methods: GWAS Analysis. * Variables: * Categories: TST: Tropical/subtropical; Mixed: mixed origin populations; NSS: non-stiff stalk; SS: stiff stalk. * \"NA\" in some cells indicates missing values. ### Figure 2A.csv * Description: Association study of ZmNRL1 with CC in a maize population. Described in Materials and Methods: ZmNRL1-based Association An...,