Abstract: 【Objective】To elucidade the characterization, function and expression pattern of two ammonium transporter genes OsAMT1;4 and OsAMT5 in rice (Oryza sativa). 【Method】The characterization of the encoded proteins by OsAMT1;4 and OsAMT5 was identified based on bioinformatics technology. The complementary analysis of function on NH4+ uptake for OsAMT1;4 and OsAMT5 was performed by genetic transformation of the yeast mutant lacking the ability of transporting NH4+. The gene expression patterns of OsAMT1;4 and OsAMT5 were analyzed by RT-PCR. 【Results】OsAMT1;4 and OsAMT5 had the open reading frame (ORF) 1497 bp and 1377 bp, encoded 498 amino acids and 458 amino acids, respectively. OsAMT1;4 and OsAMT5 belonged to AMT1 and AMT2 sub-family, all containing 11 conserved transmambrane domains, and could recovery the mutant lacking the ability of transporting NH4+ to re-uptake NH4+ in the growth medium, The transcripts of OsAMT5 were only in leaves and the expression levels were increase with the increase of NH4+ concentration in the medium, In all treatments, the transcripts of OsAMT1;4 in roots and leaves were all not detected.【Conclusion】OsAMT1;4 and OsAMT5 are involved in the uptake or transportation of NH4+ in the plants of rice. OsAMT5 is leaf specific in expression under NH4+ treatments. The expression of OsAMT1;4 is possibly regulated by other environmental conditions, rather than by NH4+.

Key words: Ammonium transporter, OsAMT1.4, OsAMT5, Gene function, Gene expression