The present invention relates to a nitrogen-regulated RING-like ubiquitin E3 ligase gene required for sugar sensing and the modulation of the expression of this gene to modulate a characteristic in a plant. The RING-like ubiquitin E3 ligase of the present invention is involved in mediating nitrogen limitation adaptive responses in plants and its expression is influenced by nitrogen status. Increased expression of this or substantially similar genes can produce plants with improved nitrogen utilization and increased yield.