Genome-wide identification of glutamate synthase gene family and expression patterns analysis in response to carbon and nitrogen treatment in Populus.

Glutamate synthase (GOGAT) is a key enzyme in glutamine synthetase (GS)/GOGAT cycle and at the hub of carbon and nitrogen metabolism, catalyzing the formation of glutamate from α-oxoglutarate and glutamine. In this study, members of GOGAT family in Populus trichocarpa were identified and analyzed by bioinformatics. The four PtGOGATs were divided into two subgroups: subgroup A (Fd-GOGAT1 and Fd-GOGAT2) and subgroup B (NADH-GOGAT1 and NADH-GOGAT2). Many important elements have been identified in the promoters of different PtGOGATs, including hormone- and light-responsive elements. Meanwhile, the transcript levels of PxGOGATs were affected by light and diurnal cycle. Quantitative real-time PCR showed PxFd-GOGATs and PxNADH-GOGATs were mainly expressed in leaves and roots in Populus × xiaohei T. S. Hwang et Liang, respectively. Under elevated CO, PxGOGATs were suppressed in all tissues except the stem. And PxFd-GOGATs and PxNADH-GOGATs were strongly induced by nitrogen in leaves and roots, respectively. In addition, PxGOGATs were stimulated significantly in roots in response to NHand glutamine directly. Our results provide new insights about GOGATs in poplar and their expression patterns under exogenous substances, to lay molecular basis for studying gene function and provide a reference for exploring putative roles of GOGATs in carbon-nitrogen balance.