Antagonistic regulation of nitrogen and drought signaling mediated by NIN-like protein 7 transcription factor in Arabidopsis thaliana

Sep 29, 2026

Plants must coordinate growth driven by nitrogen availability with survival responses triggered by water deficit, yet how these opposing signals are integrated at the molecular level remains unclear. Using comprehensive transcriptomic meta-analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana, we identify overlapping and frequently antagonistic gene expression programs for nitrogen supply and drought signaling. Network modeling and combinatorial treatments show that the transcription factor NLP7 is a central integrator controlling most pathway cross-talk. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and genome-wide TF assays demonstrate direct repression of key drought-related regulators, and loss of NLP7 enhances drought tolerance through altered hormone signaling, water retention, and stress-responsive gene expression.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages12

Reading Time30 min

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Antagonistic regulation of nitrogen and drought signaling mediated by NIN-like protein 7

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RESEARCH ARTICLE PLANT BIOLOGY OPEN ACCESS Antagonistic regulation of nitrogen and drought signaling mediated by NIN-like protein 7 transcription factor in Arabidopsis thaliana Nathan R. Johnsona, b,1, Tomás C. Moyanob,c,d,1, Viviana Arause , Camilo Osoriob,c,d , Ji Huangf, Samantha Frangosf, Ariel Herrera-Vásquezb,c , Francisca Blanco-Herrerab,c , Gloria M. Coruzzif, Elena A. Vidala, b,d,2, and José M. Álvarezb,c,d,2 Affiliations are included on p. 11. Edited by Julia Bailey-Serres, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA; received April 27, 2025; accepted November 20, 2025 Plants face the constant challenge of reconciling antagonistic environmental signals, such as nutrient-driven growth and water deficit–induced stress responses. However, the molecular mechanisms that integrate these conflicting pathways remain poorly understood. Through a comprehensive transcriptomic meta-analysis in Arabidopsis thaliana, we show that nitrogen (N) supply and water deficit signaling exhibit overlapping and often opposing gene expression responses. Regulatory network modeling identifies the NIN-LIKE PROTEIN 7 (NLP7) transcription factor (TF) as a central integrator of these convergent transcriptional responses. Through combinatorial water deficit and N supply treatments in wild-type and nlp7 mutant plants, we find that NLP7 accounts for 85% of the transcriptional interaction between these pathways. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing and a cell TF assay to detect TF regulation genome-wide reveal that NLP7 directly downregulate the expression ofTFs such as HB6, NAC6, NAP, and WRKY18, which are central regulators of water deficit– mediated stress signaling. Repression of these secondary TFs has distinct downstream effects on gene expression, influencing shared and water deficit–specific responses. Loss of NLP7 enhances water deficit tolerance, characterized by increased water retention, reduced abscisic acid-mediated stomatal aperture, and altered expression of stress-responsive genes. These findings establish NLP7 as a central hub balancing growth and stress responses, providing insight into how plants integrate competing environmental cues. nitrogen | water deficit | transcriptional networks | Arabidopsis thaliana | NLP7 Plants must constantly balance growth and survival, a trade-off shaped by the availability of resources and environmental challenges. Under optimal conditions, nitrogen (N) availability acts as a major driver of growth and productivity ( 1, 2). N is essential for processes such as photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and cell division, which are vital for plant development, flowering, and yield (3, 4). Plants respond to N availability by modulating metabolic pathways that promote growth, including root and shoot development, energy production, and nutrient assimilation (5, 6) . However, environmental stress conditions, such as water deficit, disrupt these growth-promoting processes as plants shift their resources toward survival mechanisms. Water deficit triggers a cascade of responses, primarily mediated by abscisic acid (ABA), that restrict water loss through stomatal closure, slow down cellular metabolism, and redirect resources to repair damage and maintain cellular homeostasis (7, 8) . These stress-induced adaptations are essential for survival but come at the cost of reduced growth and productivity. Photosynthesis declines due to stomatal closure, and energy is diverted away from growth toward stress-response pathways, resulting in smaller biomass and lower yields (9) . Numerous transcriptome studies have identified a substantial catalog of genes that are differentially expressed in response to changes in N status, reflecting their roles in diverse biological processes essential for growth and development ( 10–16) . These studies collectively suggest that approximately 10% of the plant genome is transcriptionally responsive to N treatment. Similarly, water deficit–responsive tra

FAQs

How do nitrogen supply and water deficit signaling influence gene expression in Arabidopsis?

They generate overlapping but often opposing transcriptional responses, indicating cross-talk between growth and stress pathways.

What role does the NLP7 transcription factor play in integrating these signals?

NLP7 acts as a central integrator by accounting for most transcriptional interaction between nitrogen and drought pathways.

How does loss of NLP7 affect plant drought tolerance?

Plants lacking NLP7 show increased water retention, reduced ABA-mediated stomatal aperture, and altered expression of stress-responsive genes, collectively enhancing drought tolerance.

Sep 29, 2026

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