Molecular Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake and Utilization in Plants
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 56
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Nutrient uptake and utilization in plants are complex and highly regulated processes that ensure growth, development, and adaptation to diverse environmental conditions. These processes rely on a sophisticated interplay between membrane transporters, signaling molecules, and regulatory proteins that determine how essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients are absorbed, mobilized, and assimilated. Nitrogen, in particular, plays a central role as a fundamental component of amino acids and proteins, directly linking nutrient acquisition to the regulation of plant metabolism and growth. Both forward and reverse genetic approaches, as well as physiological and biochemical studies, are required to unravel the molecular players involved in these pathways, along with their regulation under nutrient sufficiency and deficiency. A deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern nutrient perception, transporter specificity, and integration with cellular metabolic pathways is critical for improving nutrient use efficiency and plant resilience.
This Special Issue focuses on recent advances aimed at dissecting the molecular and cellular mechanisms of nutrient uptake and utilization in plants, with special emphasis on transporter substrate interactions, nutrient signaling pathways, and regulatory networks that coordinate plant responses to fluctuating nutrient availability. Indeed, nutrient transport and assimilation involve complex protein ligand interactions and dynamic conformational changes that influence transporter activity, signal transduction, and metabolic regulation. However, for many nutrient-related proteins, there remain significant gaps in our knowledge of their molecular targets, structural dynamics, and functional integration within plant physiology. Studies that provide such insights are highly encouraged, as they will contribute to a better understanding of nutrient efficiency mechanisms and support the development of strategies for sustainable agriculture and crop improvement.
Dr. Stella Karydogianni
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- agriculture and crop improvement
- molecular and cellular mechanisms
- nitrogen
- nutrient efficiency
- protein
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