As essential macronutrients, potassium and nitrogen play crucial roles in plant growth and development. Sufficient supply of potassium and nitrogen also determine crop yield and quality. Our laboratory focuses on the molecular mechanisms of plant nutrient utilization efficiency. We mainly investigate the signaling networks in plant responses to potassium/nitrogen deficiencies, study the regulatory mechanisms of potassium/nitrogen uptake and transport, and elucidate the mechanisms of potassium/nitrogen coordination.

(* Corresponding author; # These authors contributed equally.)

1.         Li X-D#, Gao Y-Q#, Wu W-H, Chen L-M*, Wang Y* (2022) Two calcium-dependent protein kinases enhance maize drought tolerance by activating anion channel ZmSLAC1 in guard cells. Plant Biotechnol. J. 20:143-157.

2.         Wang F-L#, Tan Y-L#, Wallrad L#, Du X-Q#, Eickelkamp A#, Wang Z-F, He G-F, Rehms F, Li Z, Han J-P, Schmitz-Thom I, Wu W-H, Kudla J*, Wang Y* (2021) A potassium-sensing niche in Arabidopsis roots orchestrates signaling and adaptation responses to maintain nutrient homeostasis. Dev. Cell. 56:781-794.

3.         Han W#, Ji Y#, Wu W, Feng H-Q*, Wang Y* (2021) ZMK1 is involved in K+ uptake and regulated by protein kinase ZmCIPK23 in Zea mays. Front. Plant Sci. 12:517742.

4.         Wang Y#, Chen Y-F#, Wu W-H* (2021) Potassium and phosphorus transport and signaling in plants. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 63:34-52.

5.         Zhang M-L#, Huang P-P#, Ji Y, Wang S, Wang S-S, Li Z, Guo Y, Ding Z, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2020) KUP9 maintains root meristem activity by regulating K+ and auxin homeostasis in response to low K. EMBO Rep. 21:e50164.

6.         Du X-Q#, Wang F-L#, Li H, Jing S, Yu M, Li J, Wu W-H, Kudla J, Wang Y* (2019) The transcription factor MYB59 regulates K+/NO3- translocation in the Arabidopsis response to low K+ stress. Plant Cell. 31:699-714.

7.         Qin Y-J, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2019) ZmHAK5 and ZmHAK1 function in K+ uptake and distribution in maize under low K+ conditions. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 61:691-705.

8.         Gao Y-Q, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2019) Electrophysiological identification and activity analyses of plasma membrane K+ channels in maize guard cells. Plant Cell Physiol. 60:765-777.

9.         Shi X#, Long Y#, He F, Zhang C, Wang R, Zhang T, Wu W, Hao Z, Wang Y*, Wang GL*, Ning Y* (2018) The fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae suppresses innate immunity by modulating a host potassium channel. Plos Pathog. 14(1): e1006878.

10.     Gao Y-Q, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2017) The K+ channel KZM2 is involved in stomatal movement by modulating inward K+ currents in maize guard cells. Plant J. 92:662-675.

11.     Wang Y, Wu W-H* (2017) Regulation of potassium transport and signaling in plants. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 39:123-128.

12.     Li H, Yu M, Du X-Q, Wang Z-F, Wu W-H, Quintero FJ, Jin X-H, Li H-D, Wang Y* (2017) NRT1.5/NPF7.3 functions as a proton-coupled H+/K+ antiporter for K+ loading into the xylem in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell. 29:2016-2026.

13.     Li J, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2017) Potassium channel AKT1 is involved in the auxin-mediated root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis response to low K+ stress. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 59:895-909.

14.     Behera S#, Long Y#, Schmitz-Thom I, Wang X-P, Zhang C, Li H, Steinhorst L, Manishankar P, Ren X-L, Offenborn JN, Wu W-H, Kudla J*, Wang Y* (2017) Two spatially and temporally distinct Ca2+ signals convey Arabidopsis thaliana responses to K+ deficiency. New Phytol. 213:739-750.

15.     Zhao S#, Zhang M-L#, Ma T-L, Wang Y* (2016) Phosphorylation of ARF2 relieves its repression of transcription of the K+ transporter gene HAK5 in response to low potassium stress. Plant Cell. 28:3005-3019.

16.     Wang X-P#, Chen L-M#, Liu W-X, Shen L-K, Wang F-L, Zhou Y, Zhang Z, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2016) AtKC1 and CIPK23 synergistically modulate AKT1-mediated low potassium stress responses in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 170:2264-2277.

17.     Han M#, Wu W#, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2016) Potassium transporter KUP7 is involved in K+ acquisition and translocation in Arabidopsis root under K+-limited conditions. Mol. Plant. 9:437-446.

18.     Wang Y, Wu W-H* (2015) Genetic approaches for improvement of the crop potassium acquisition and utilization efficiency. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 25:46-52.

19.     Wang Y#, Dindas J#, Rienmüller F, Krebs M, Waadt R, Schumacher K, Wu W-H, Hedrich R, Roelfsema MRG* (2015) Cytosolic Ca2+ signals enhance the vacuolar ion conductivity of bulging Arabidopsis root hair cells. Mol. Plant. 8:1665-1674.

20.     Li J#, Long Y#, Qi G-N#, Li J, Xu Z-J, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2014) The Os-AKT1 channel is critical for K+ uptake in rice roots and is modulated by the rice CBL1-CIPK23 complex. Plant Cell. 26:3387-3402.

21.     Wang Y, Wu W-H* (2013) Potassium transport and signaling in higher plants. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 64:451-476.

22.     Liu L-L#, Ren H-M#, Chen L-Q, Wang Y, Wu W-H* (2013) A protein kinase, CIPK9, interacts with calcium sensor CBL3 and regulates K+ homeostasis under low-K+ stress in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 161:266-277.

23.     Ren X-L#, Qi G-N#, Feng H-Q, Zhao S, Zhao S-S, Wang Y, Wu W-H* (2013) Calcineurin B-like protein CBL10 directly interacts with AKT1 and modulates K+ homeostasis in Arabidopsis. Plant J. 74:258-266.

24.     Zhao L-N#, Shen L-K#, Zhang W-Z, Zhang W, Wang Y, Wu W-H* (2013) Ca2+-dependent protein kinase11 and 24 modulate the activity of the inward rectifying K+ channels in Arabidopsis pollen tubes. Plant Cell. 25:649-661.

25.     Mähs A, Steinhorst L, Han JP, Shen LK, Wang Y, Kudla J* (2013) The calcineurin B-like Ca2+ sensors CBL1 and CBL9 function in pollen germination and pollen tube growth in Arabidopsis. Mol Plant. 6:1149-1162.

26.     Ma T-L, Wu W-H, Wang Y* (2012) Transcriptome analysis of rice root responses to potassium deficiency. BMC Plant Biol. 12:161.

27.     Wang Y#, He L#, Li H-D, Xu J, Wu W-H* (2010) Potassium channel a-subunit AtKC1 negatively regulates AKT1-mediated K+ uptake in Arabidopsis roots under low-K+ stress. Cell Res. 20:826-837.

28.     Wang Y, Wu W-H* (2010) Plant sensing and signaling in response to K+-deficiency. Mol. Plant. 3:280-287.

29.     Zou J-J, Song L-F, Zhang W-Z, Wang Y, Ruan S-L, Wu W-H* (2009) Comparative proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis mature pollen and germinated pollen. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 51:438-455.

30.     Wang Y#, Zhang W-Z#, Song L-F, Zou J-J, Su Z, Wu W-H* (2008) Transcriptome analyses show changes in gene expression to accompany pollen germination and tube growth in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol. 148:1201-1211.

31.     Chen Y-F, Wang Y, Wu W-H* (2008) Membrane transporters for nitrogen, phosphate and potassium uptake in plants. J. Integr. Plant Biol. 50:835-848.

32.     Xu J#, Li H-D#, Chen L-Q#, Wang Y#, Liu L-L#, He L, Wu W-H* (2006) A protein kinase, interacting with two calcineurin B-like proteins, regulates K+ transporter AKT1 in Arabidopsis. Cell. 125:1347-1360.