Expression patterns of five genes involved in nitrogen metabolism in two winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes with high and low nitrogen utilization efficiencies

•Seasonal expression of the genes GS1c, GS2a, ASN1, AlaAT, PPDK in wheat was reported.•Expression of the genes in N-efficient and N-inefficient wheat genotypes was compared.•The N-efficient wheat genotype had higher N remobilization efficiency.•GS1c, AlaAT and PPDK in N-efficient genotype had higher expression levels.•GS1c, AlaAT and PPDK are potential targets to enhance NUtE of wheat.

Molecular aspects of genotypic variation in nitrogen (N) utilization efficiency (NUtE) of wheat are largely unknown. A greenhouse experiment was designed to study the expression patterns of five genes (TaGS1c; TaGS2a; TaAlaAT; TaASN1 and TaPPDK) involved in N metabolism in two wheat genotypes with high and low NUtEs. N-efficient (YM18) and N-inefficient (XY6) wheat genotypes were planted at low N (no N application) and high N (0.3 g N kg−1 soil) treatments. Shoots were sampled at the F3 (tillering), F7 (jointing), F10 (heading) and F11 (grain filling) stages, and expression of the five genes was quantified using real-time, reverse transcription PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The higher grain NUtE of YM18 compared to XY6 was attributed to its higher N remobilization efficiency. The expression of the five genes showed significant seasonal dynamics, and expression of genes TaGS1c, TaAlaAT and TaPPDK in YM18 increased significantly and were higher than that in XY6 at reproductive growth under either low or high N treatments. These genes may contribute to the high N remobilization efficiency of YM18 and serve as potential targets to enhance NUtE of wheat.