Exogenous sucrose supply changes sugar metabolism and reduces photosynthesis of sugarcane through the down-regulation of Rubisco abundance and activity

Regulation of Rubisco activity by interaction with chloroplast metabolites

Rubisco activity is highly regulated and frequently limits carbon assimilation in crop plants. In the chloroplast, various metabolites can inhibit or modulate Rubisco activity by binding to its catalytic or allosteric sites, but this regulation is complex and still poorly understood. Using rice Rubisco, we characterised the impact of various chloroplast metabolites which could interact with Rubisco and modulate its activity, including photorespiratory intermediates, carbohydrates, amino acids; as well as specific sugar-phosphates known to inhibit Rubisco activity - CABP (2-carboxy-d-arabinitol 1,5-bisphosphate) and CA1P (2-carboxy-d-arabinitol 1-phosphate) through in vitro enzymatic assays and molecular docking analysis. Most metabolites did not directly affect Rubisco in vitro activity under both saturating and limiting concentrations of Rubisco substrates, CO2 and RuBP (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate). As expected, Rubisco activity was strongly inhibited in the presence of CABP and CA1P. High physiologically relevant concentrations of the carboxylation product 3-PGA (3-phosphoglyceric acid) decreased Rubisco activity by up to 30%. High concentrations of the photosynthetically derived hexose phosphates fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) and glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) slightly reduced Rubisco activity under limiting CO2 and RuBP concentrations. Biochemical measurements of the apparent Vmax and Km for CO2 and RuBP (at atmospheric O2 concentration) and docking interactions analysis suggest that CABP/CA1P and 3-PGA inhibit Rubisco activity by binding tightly and loosely, respectively, to its catalytic sites (i.e. competing with the substrate RuBP). These findings will aid the design and biochemical modelling of new strategies to improve the regulation of Rubisco activity and enhance the efficiency and sustainability of carbon assimilation in rice.

Sugar sensing in C4 source leaves: a gap that needs to be filled

Plant growth depends on sugar production and export by photosynthesizing source leaves and sugar allocation and import by sink tissues (grains, roots, stems, and young leaves). Photosynthesis and sink demand are tightly coordinated through metabolic (substrate, allosteric) feedback and signalling (sugar, hormones) mechanisms. Sugar signalling integrates sugar production with plant development and environmental cues. In C3 plants (e.g. wheat and rice), it is well documented that sugar accumulation in source leaves, due to source-sink imbalance, negatively feeds back on photosynthesis and plant productivity. However, we have a limited understanding about the molecular mechanisms underlying those feedback regulations, especially in C4 plants (e.g. maize, sorghum, and sugarcane). Recent work with the C4 model plant Setaria viridis suggested that C4 leaves have different sugar sensing thresholds and behaviours relative to C3 counterparts. Addressing this research priority is critical because improving crop yield requires a better understanding of how plants coordinate source activity with sink demand. Here we review the literature, present a model of action for sugar sensing in C4 source leaves, and suggest ways forward.

The roles of non-structural carbohydrates in fruiting: a review focusing on mango (Mangifera indica)

Reproductive development of fruiting trees, including mango (Mangifera indica L.), is limited by non-structural carbohydrates. Competition for sugars increases with cropping, and consequently, vegetative growth and replenishment of starch reserves may reduce with high yields, resulting in interannual production variability. While the effect of crop load on photosynthesis and the distribution of starch within the mango tree has been studied, the contribution of starch and sugars to different phases of reproductive development requires attention. This review focuses on mango and examines the roles of non-structural carbohydrates in fruiting trees to clarify the repercussions of crop load on reproductive development. Starch buffers the plant's carbon availability to regulate supply with demand, while sugars provide a direct resource for carbon translocation. Sugar signalling and interactions with phytohormones play a crucial role in flowering, fruit set, growth, ripening and retention, as well as regulating starch, sugar and secondary metabolites in fruit. The balance between the leaf and fruit biomass affects the availability and contributions of starch and sugars to fruiting. Crop load impacts photosynthesis and interactions between sources and sinks. As a result, the onset and rate of reproductive processes are affected, with repercussions for fruit size, composition, and the inter-annual bearing pattern.

The serine-glycine-one-carbon metabolic network orchestrates changes in nitrogen and sulfur metabolism and shapes plant development

L-serine (Ser) and L-glycine (Gly) are critically important for the overall functioning of primary metabolism. We investigated the interaction of the phosphorylated pathway of Ser biosynthesis (PPSB) with the photorespiration-associated glycolate pathway of Ser biosynthesis (GPSB) using Arabidopsis thaliana PPSB-deficient lines, GPSB-deficient mutants, and crosses of PPSB with GPSB mutants. PPSB-deficient lines mainly showed retarded primary root growth. Mutation of the photorespiratory enzyme Ser-hydroxymethyltransferase 1 (SHMT1) in a PPSB-deficient background resumed primary root growth and induced a change in the plant metabolic pattern between roots and shoots. Grafting experiments demonstrated that metabolic changes in shoots were responsible for the changes in double mutant development. PPSB disruption led to a reduction in nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) contents in shoots and a general transcriptional response to nutrient deficiency. Disruption of SHMT1 boosted the Gly flux out of the photorespiratory cycle, which increased the levels of the one-carbon (1C) metabolite 5,10-methylene-tetrahydrofolate and S-adenosylmethionine. Furthermore, disrupting SHMT1 reverted the transcriptional response to N and S deprivation and increased N and S contents in shoots of PPSB-deficient lines. Our work provides genetic evidence of the biological relevance of the Ser-Gly-1C metabolic network in N and S metabolism and in interorgan metabolic homeostasis.

A plant's perception of growth-promoting bacteria and their metabolites

Many recent studies have highlighted the importance of plant growth-promoting (rhizo)bacteria (PGPR) in supporting plant's development, particularly under biotic and abiotic stress. Most focus on the plant growth-promoting traits of selected strains and the latter's effect on plant biomass, root architecture, leaf area, and specific metabolite accumulation. Regarding energy balance, plant growth is the outcome of an input (photosynthesis) and several outputs (i.e., respiration, exudation, shedding, and herbivory), frequently neglected in classical studies on PGPR-plant interaction. Here, we discuss the primary evidence underlying the modifications triggered by PGPR and their metabolites on the plant ecophysiology. We propose to detect PGPR-induced variations in the photosynthetic activity using leaf gas exchange and recommend setting up the correct timing for monitoring plant responses according to the specific objectives of the experiment. This research identifies the challenges and tries to provide future directions to scientists working on PGPR-plant interactions to exploit the potential of microorganisms' application in improving plant value.

Physiological and biochemical responses of wheat to synergistic effects of selenium nanoparticles and elevated CO2 conditions

Elevating CO₂ (eCO₂) levels will change behavior and the effect of soil fertilizers and nutrients. Selenium NPs (SeNPs) have arisen as an alternative to conventional Se fertilizers to enrich crops. However, it remains unclear whether eCO₂ will change the biological effects of soil SeNPs on plant growth and metabolism. The current study aimed to shed new light on the interactive impacts of eCO₂ and SeNPs on wheat plants. Accordingly, the attempts were to reveal whether the application of SeNPs can modulate the eCO₂ effects on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) physiological and biochemical traits. With this goal, a pot experiment was carried out where the seeds were primed with SeNPs and plants were grown under two levels of CO₂ concentrations (ambient CO₂ (aCO₂, 410 μmol CO₂ mol^-1; and eCO₂ (710 μmol CO₂ mol^-1)) during six weeks after sowing. Although SeNPs+eCO₂ treatment resulted in the highest accumulation of photosynthetic pigment content in leaves (+49-118% higher than control), strong evidence of the positive impacts on Rubisco activity (~+23%), and stomatal conductance (~+37%) was observed only under eCO₂, which resulted in an improvement in photosynthesis capacity (+42%). When photosynthesis parameters were stimulated with eCO₂, a significant improvement in dry matter production was detected, in particular under SeNPs+eCO₂ which was 1.8 times higher than control under aCO₂. The highest content of antioxidant enzymes, molecules, and metabolites was also recorded in SeNPs+eCO₂, which might be associated with the nearly 50% increase in sodium content in shoots at the same treatment. Taken together, this is the first research documenting the effective synergistic impacts of eCO₂ and SeNPs on the mentioned metabolites, antioxidants, and some photosynthetic parameters, an advantageous consequence that was not recorded in the individual application of these treatments, at least not as broadly as with the combined treatment.

Investigation of sugar signaling behaviors involved in sucrose-induced senescence initiation and progression in N. tabacum

Sugar is involved in initiating leaf senescence. However, its regulatory role, especially as a signal in the senescence process, is unclear. Therefore, this study was designed to illustrate how sugar stimulates the onset of leaf senescence and controls sugar homeostasis through the T6P-SnRK (sucrose non-fermenting (SNF)-related kinase) and HXK (hexokinase) signaling pathways. We used a leaf disc system detached from fully expanded leaves of Nicotiana tabacum cv. K326 and designed a time-course study (days 3, 5, 7, and 9) with exogenously gradient concentrations (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 mM) of sucrose (Suc) treatment to identify how Suc application affects sugar metabolism and induces senescence. Our results revealed that early decreases of Fv/Fm and increases in electrolyte leakage responded to Suc on day 3. Furthermore, a substantial increase in lipid peroxidation and up-regulated expression of senescence marker genes (NtSAG12) (except 60 mM on day 3) responded sequentially by day 5. The glucose, G6P, and HXK contents were first induced by Suc on day 3 and then repressed from day 5 to day 7. However, exogenous Suc treatment significantly improved the TPS content and the subsequent precursor T6P from day 3 to day 7. Following exogenous Suc treatments, the transcript level of NtSnRK1 was markedly down-regulated from day 3 to day 7. On the other hand, a linear regression analysis demonstrated that the T6P-NtSnRK1 signaling pathway was strongly associated with senescence initiation, and was accompanied by membrane degradation and NtCP1/NtSAG12 up-regulation by day 3. The T6P-NtSnRK1 signaling pathway experienced membrane and chloroplast degradation by day 5. HXK functioned as a metabolic enzyme promoting Glc-G6P and as a Glc sensor, accelerating the initiation of senescence through the HXK-dependent pathway by repressing PSII by day 3 and the senescence process through the Glycolytic pathway by day 7. These physiological, biochemical, and molecular analyses demonstrate that exogenous Suc regulates T6P accumulation, inducing senescence through the NtSnRK signaling pathway. These results illustrate the role of Suc and the transition of the sugar signaling pathway during the progression of senescence initiation.

Physiological and Molecular Responses of Woody Plants Exposed to Future Atmospheric CO2 Levels under Abiotic Stresses

Climate change is mainly driven by the accumulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere in the last century. Plant growth is constantly challenged by environmental fluctuations including heat waves, severe drought and salinity, along with ozone accumulation in the atmosphere. Food security is at risk in an increasing world population, and it is necessary to face the current and the expected effects of global warming. The effects of the predicted environment scenario of elevated CO2 concentration (e[CO2]) and more severe abiotic stresses have been scarcely investigated in woody plants, and an integrated view involving physiological, biochemical and molecular data is missing. This review highlights the effects of elevated CO2 in the metabolism of woody plants and the main findings of its interaction with abiotic stresses, including a molecular point of view, aiming to improve the understanding of how woody plants will face the predicted environmental conditions. Overall, e[CO2] stimulates photosynthesis and growth and attenuates mild to moderate abiotic stress in woody plants if root growth and nutrients are not limited. Moreover, e[CO2] does not induce acclimation in most tree species. Some high-throughput analyses involving omics techniques were conducted to better understand how these processes are regulated. Finally, knowledge gaps in the understanding of how the predicted climate condition will affect woody plant metabolism were identified, with the aim of improving the growth and production of this plant species.

Mathematical Modeling Reveals That Sucrose Regulates Leaf Senescence via Dynamic Sugar Signaling Pathways

Sucrose (Suc) accumulation is one of the key indicators of leaf senescence onset, but little is known about its regulatory role. Here, we found that application of high (120-150 mM) and low levels (60 mM) of Suc to young leaf (YL) and fully expanded leaf (FEL) discs, respectively, decreased chlorophyll content and maximum photosynthetic efficiency. Electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde levels increased at high Suc concentrations (90-120 mM in YL and 60 and 150 mM in FEL discs). In FEL discs, the senescence-associated gene NtSAG12 showed a gradual increase in expression with increased Suc application; in contrast, in YL discs, NtSAG12 was upregulated with low Suc treatment (60 mM) but downregulated at higher levels of Suc. In YL discs, trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) accumulated at a low half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of Suc (1.765 mM). However, T6P levels declined as trehalose 6 phosphate synthase (TPS) content decreased, resulting in the maximum velocity of sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase (SnRK) and hexokinase (HXK) occurring at higher level of Suc. We therefore speculated that senescence was induced by hexose accumulation. In FEL discs, the EC50 of T6P occurred at a low concentration of Suc (0.9488 mM); T6P levels progressively increased with higher TPS content, which inhibited SnRK activity with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.001475 U/g. This confirmed that the T6P-SnRK complex induced senescence in detached FEL discs.

The Effects of Hydro-Priming and Colonization with Piriformospora indica and Azotobacter chroococcum on Physio-Biochemical Traits, Flavonolignans and Fatty Acids Composition of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) under Saline Conditions

Salinity is an important challenge around the world, effecting all physiological and biochemical processes of plants. It seems that seed priming can diminish the negative impacts of salinity. To study the effects of hydro-priming and inoculation with Piriformospora indica (Pi) and Azotobacter chroococcum (Az) on physio-biochemical traits, flavonolignans and fatty acids composition of milk thistle under saline conditions, a greenhouse experiment was carried out. Our results indicated that under salinity, seed priming, especially Pi, improved physio-biochemical properties in milk thistle. Under 120 mM NaCl, inoculation with Pi increased membrane stability index (MSI) and relative water content (RWC) (by 21.86 and 33.43%, respectively). However, peroxidase (POX) (5.57- and 5.68-fold in roots and leaves, respectively), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (4.74- and 4.44-fold in roots and leaves, respectively), catalase (CAT) (6.90- and 8.50-fold in roots and leaves, respectively) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (5.61- and 5.68-fold in roots and leaves, respectively) activities increased with increasing salinity. Contrary to salinity, hydro-priming with Az and Pi positively altered all these traits. The highest content of the osmolytes, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and rubisco activity were recorded in Pi treatments under 120 mM NaCl. Stearic acid (20.24%), oleic acid (21.06%) and palmitic acid (10.48%) increased, but oil content (3.81%), linolenic and linoleic acid content (22.21 and 15.07%, respectively) decreased under saline conditions. Inoculations of Pi positively altered all these traits. The present study indicated that seed priming with Pi under 120 mM NaCl resulted in maximum silychristin, taxidolin, silydianin, isosilybin, silybin and silymarin of milk thistle seeds.

Effects of exogenous sucrose and selenium on plant growth, quality, and sugar metabolism of pea sprouts

BACKGROUND

Pea sprouts are considered a healthy food. Sucrose is a key nutritional factor affecting taste and flavor. Meanwhile, selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient that plays multiple roles in wide variety of physiological processes and improves crop quality and nutritional value. Nonetheless, the effects of the combination of sucrose and Se treatment on growth, quality, and sugar metabolism of pea sprouts have not been explored.

RESULTS

The results revealed that sucrose at 10 mg L-1 obviously increased fresh weight, vitamin C, soluble protein, soluble sugar, fructose, glucose, and sucrose contents. Se treatments also improved nutritional quality, but higher Se (2.5 mg L-1 ) significantly inhibited the growth of seedlings. Interestingly, the combined application of sucrose (10 mg L-1 ) and Se (1.25 mg L-1 ) could effectively promote vitamin C, sucrose, and fructose contents, especially the Se content, compared with Se application alone. Additionally, there were significant differences in the regulation of sugar metabolism between Se alone and combined application of sucrose and Se. Acid invertase and neutral invertase play a pivotal role in the accumulation of soluble sugar under Se treatments alone, and acid invertase might be the key enzyme to limit sugar accumulation under combined application of sucrose and Se.

CONCLUSION

The moderate combined application of sucrose (10 mg L-1 ) and Se (1.25 mg L-1 ) more effectively regulated sugar metabolism and improved nutritional quality than Se application alone did. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Concentration-dependent dual effects of exogenous sucrose on nitrogen metabolism in Andrographis paniculata

The effects of exogenous sucrose (Suc) concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 mmol L⁻¹) on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolisms were investigated in a medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata (Chuanxinlian). Suc application with the concentration of 0.5–5 mmol L⁻¹ significantly promoted plant growth. In contrast, 10 mmol L⁻¹ Suc retarded plant growth and increased contents of anthocyanin and MDA and activity of SOD in comparison to 0.5–5 mmol L⁻¹ Suc. Suc application increased contents of leaf soluble sugar, reducing sugar and trerhalose, as well as isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) activity, increasing supply of C-skeleton for N assimilation. However, total leaf N was peaked at 1 mmol L⁻¹ Suc, which was consistent with root activity, suggesting that exogenous Suc enhanced root N uptake. At 10 mmol L⁻¹ Suc, total leaf N and activities of glutamine synthase (GS), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), NADH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (NADH-GDH) and glutamic–pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were strongly reduced but NH₄⁺ concentration was significantly increased. The results revealed that exogenous Suc is an effective stimulant for A. paniculata plant growth. Low Suc concentration (e.g. 1 mmol L⁻¹) increased supply of C-skeleton and promoted N uptake and assimilation in A. paniculata plant, whereas high Suc concentration (e.g. 10 mmol L⁻¹) uncoupled C and N metabolisms, reduced N metabolism and induced plant senescence.

Improving C4 photosynthesis to increase productivity under optimal and suboptimal conditions

Although improving photosynthetic efficiency is widely recognized as an underutilized strategy to increase crop yields, research in this area is strongly biased towards species with C3 photosynthesis relative to C4 species. Here, we outline potential strategies for improving C4 photosynthesis to increase yields in crops by reviewing the major bottlenecks limiting the C4 NADP-malic enzyme pathway under optimal and suboptimal conditions. Recent experimental results demonstrate that steady-state C4 photosynthesis under non-stressed conditions can be enhanced by increasing Rubisco content or electron transport capacity, both of which may also stimulate CO2 assimilation at supraoptimal temperatures. Several additional putative bottlenecks for photosynthetic performance under drought, heat, or chilling stress or during photosynthetic induction await further experimental verification. Based on source-sink interactions in maize, sugarcane, and sorghum, alleviating these photosynthetic bottlenecks during establishment and growth of the harvestable parts are likely to improve yield. The expected benefits are also shown to be augmented by the increasing trend in planting density, which increases the impact of photosynthetic source limitation on crop yields.

An illuminated respiratory activity monitoring system identifies priming-active compounds in plant seedlings

BACKGROUND

Growing large crop monocultures and heavily using pesticides enhances the evolution of pesticide-insensitive pests and pathogens. To reduce pesticide use in crop cultivation, the application of priming-active compounds (PrimACs) is a welcome alternative. PrimACs strengthen the plant immune system and could thus help to protect plants with lower amounts of pesticides. PrimACs can be identified, for example, by their capacity to enhance the respiratory activity of parsley cells in culture as determined by the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) using the respiration activity monitoring system (RAMOS) or its miniaturized version, µRAMOS. The latter was designed for with suspensions of bacteria and yeast cells in microtiter plates (MTPs). So far, RAMOS or µRAMOS have not been applied to adult plants or seedlings, which would overcome the limitation of (µ)RAMOS to plant suspension cell cultures.

RESULTS

In this work, we introduce a modified µRAMOS for analysis of plant seedlings. The novel device allows illuminating the seedlings and records the respiratory activity in each well of a 48-well MTP. To validate the suitability of the setup for identifying novel PrimAC in Arabidopsis thaliana, seedlings were grown in MTP for seven days and treated with the known PrimAC salicylic acid (SA; positive control) and the PrimAC candidate methyl 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-oxocyclopentane-1-carboxylate (Tyr020). Twenty-eight h after treatment, the seedlings were elicited with flg22, a 22-amino acid peptide of bacterial flagellin. Upon elicitation, the respiratory activity was monitored. The evaluation of the OTR course reveals Tyr020 as a likely PrimAC. The priming-inducing activity of Tyr020 was confirmed using molecular biological analyses in A. thaliana seedlings.

CONCLUSION

We disclose the suitability of µRAMOS for identifying PrimACs in plant seedlings. The difference in OTR during a night period between primed and unprimed plants was distinguishable after elicitation with flg22. Thus, it has been shown that the µRAMOS device can be used for a reliable screening for PrimACs in plant seedlings.

In vitro propagation and analysis of mixotrophic potential to improve survival rate of Dolichandra unguis-cati under ex vitro conditions

An efficient and reproducible protocol for in vitro propagation of Dolichandraunguis-cati has been established for the first time from nodal segments. In order to enhance survival rate under ex vitro conditions, photosynthetic potential of in vitro grown plantlets was also studied through JIP test based analysis of polyphasic OJIP chlorophyll a fluorescence OJIP transients, density of active reaction centers, light harvesting efficiency, electron transfer rate, dissipation energy, maximum quantum yield of primary PSII photochemistry and photosynthetic performance index. The best morphogenetic in term of explants response (92.2 %), shoot number (3.43 ± 0.07) and shoot length (4.7 ± 0.31 cm) was obtained on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BAP and 1.0 mg l⁻¹ TDZ. The shoots exhibited high frequency rhizogenesis on half strength medium augmented with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ IAA. In vitro plantlets developed highest rate of photosynthesis on day 18 after the initiation of rhizogenesis. High survival rate (96.16%) under ex vitro conditions was observed when in vitro plantlets having high photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm > 0.75) were subjected to hardening and acclimatization process. Plantlets with reduced photosynthetic performance exhibited low survival rate under natural conditions. The developed in vitro protocol will be useful for genetic improvement and multiplication of D. unguis-cati. The results of this study also show that photosynthetic screening of in vitro developed plantlets is highly essential after the rhizogenesis process to achieve higher survival rate under field conditions.

Glucose modulates copper induced changes in photosynthesis, ion uptake, antioxidants and proline in Cucumis sativus plants

Glucose is recognized as signaling molecule that regulates growth and development of plants under various environmental cues, but their effect in regulation of copper induced toxicity in plants is not yet investigated. This study revealed the effect of exogenously sourced glucose on Cucumber plants exposed to increasing concentration of copper. Glucose mediated response on growth performance, photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, ion uptake were analyzed in the presence and absence of copper. Glucose alone and in combination with lower concentration of copper improved the growth, photosynthetic performance, and antioxidant capacity of cucumber plants. However, higher concentrations of copper alone showed oxidative damage through increased electrolyte leakage, H₂O₂ accumulation, lipid peroxidation and reduced uptake of macronutrients. Application of glucose to copper-stressed plants enhanced activities of Rubisco, antioxidant enzymes, proline accumulation and maintained copper level in aerial parts of plants. These enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, proline accumulation, uptake of NPK and maintained equilibrium of copper in plants, leading to detoxification of copper stress in cucumber plants. This study provides an understanding that exogenous application of glucose can be employed as vital biochemical approach in alleviating copper-induced toxicity and could be utilized as phytoremediation technique for removal of excess transition metal from polluted soil.

Convergence and Divergence of Sugar and Cytokinin Signaling in Plant Development

Plants adjust their growth and development through a sophisticated regulatory system integrating endogenous and exogenous cues. Many of them rely on intricate crosstalk between nutrients and hormones, an effective way of coupling nutritional and developmental information and ensuring plant survival. Sugars in their different forms such as sucrose, glucose, fructose and trehalose-6-P and the hormone family of cytokinins (CKs) are major regulators of the shoot and root functioning throughout the plant life cycle. While their individual roles have been extensively investigated, their combined effects have unexpectedly received little attention, resulting in many gaps in current knowledge. The present review provides an overview of the relationship between sugars and CKs signaling in the main developmental transition during the plant lifecycle, including seed development, germination, seedling establishment, root and shoot branching, leaf senescence, and flowering. These new insights highlight the diversity and the complexity of the crosstalk between sugars and CKs and raise several questions that will open onto further investigations of these regulation networks orchestrating plant growth and development.

Effect of sugar feedback regulation on major genes and proteins of photosynthesis in sugarcane leaves

Productivity of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) relies upon sucrose production in leaves and movement to sinks. The feedback regulatory effect of sugar upon photosynthesis balances this process involving Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase) and Rubisco where greater understanding in this area may allow manipulation to achieve higher yields. Accumulation of sucrose in leaves and decreased photosynthesis are early symptoms of the condition called yellow canopy syndrome (YCS) in sugarcane, which presents as a system in which to study sucrose feedback regulation. This work investigates changes in gene expression and protein abundance which coincide with the sugar accumulation in the leaves of YCS symptomatic sugarcane. During the early-stage of sugar accumulation, the levels of the Photosystem II core protein D1, and PsbQ of the oxygen-evolving complex decreased significantly. Transcript levels of these proteins also decreased, suggesting both nuclear and chloroplast gene expression were affected early in sugar build-up of YCS development. Transcript level of primary carbon fixation reactions enzyme NADP malate dehydrogenase was especially downregulated. However, PEPCase, decarboxylation and re-fixation (Rubisco) enzymes were not negatively regulated at the transcript or protein abundance level. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was upregulated in both gene expression and protein abundance. The Calvin cycle in the bundle sheath was sensitive through the CP12 protein. Two isoforms of CP12 were found, one of which showed downregulation which coincided with a decrease in CP12 protein. This suggests transcript and protein decrease of PEPCase and Rubisco may be secondary regulation points of the sugar feedback regulation process upon photosynthesis in sugarcane leaves.

Diurnal Changes in Water Soluble Carbohydrate Components in Leaves and Sucrose Associated TaSUT1 Gene Expression during Grain Development in Wheat

In plant tissues, sugar levels are determined by the balance between sugar import, export, and sugar synthesis. So far, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) dynamics have not been investigated in a diurnal context in wheat stems as compared to the dynamics in flag leaves during the terminal phases of grain filling. Here, we filled this research gap and tested the hypothesis that WSC dynamics interlink with gene expression of TaSUT1. The main stems and flag leaves of two genotypes, Westonia and Kauz, were sampled at four hourly intervals over a 24 h period at six developmental stages from heading to 28 DAA (days after anthesis). The total levels of WSC and WSC components were measured, and TaSUT1 gene expression was quantified at 21 DAA. On average, the total WSC and fructan levels in the stems were double those in the flag leaves. In both cultivars, diurnal patterns in the total WSC and sucrose were detected in leaves across all developmental stages, but not for the fructans 6-kestose and bifurcose. However, in stems, diurnal patterns of the total WSC and fructan were only found at anthesis in Kauz. The different levels of WSC and WSC components between Westonia and Kauz are likely associated with leaf chlorophyll levels and fructan degradation, especially 6-kestose degradation. High correlation between levels of TaSUT1 expression and sucrose in leaves indicated that TaSUT1 expression is likely to be influenced by the level of sucrose in leaves, and the combination of high levels of TaSUT1 expression and sucrose in Kauz may contribute to its high grain yield under well-watered conditions.

Leaf growth in early development is key to biomass heterosis in Arabidopsis

Arabidopsis thaliana hybrids have similar properties to hybrid crops, with greater biomass relative to the parents. We asked whether the greater biomass was due to increased photosynthetic efficiency per unit leaf area or to overall increased leaf area and increased total photosynthate per plant. We found that photosynthetic parameters (electron transport rate, CO2 assimilation rate, chlorophyll content, and chloroplast number) were unchanged on a leaf unit area and unit fresh weight basis between parents and hybrids, indicating that heterosis is not a result of increased photosynthetic efficiency. To investigate the possibility of increased leaf area producing more photosynthate per plant, we studied C24×Landsberg erecta (Ler) hybrids in detail. These hybrids have earlier germination and leaf growth than the parents, leading to a larger leaf area at any point in development of the plant. The developing leaves of the hybrids are significantly larger than those of the parents, with consequent greater production of photosynthate and an increased contribution to heterosis. The set of leaves contributing to heterosis changes as the plant develops; the four most recently emerged leaves make the greatest contribution. As a leaf matures, its contribution to heterosis attenuates. While photosynthesis per unit leaf area is unchanged at any stage of development in the hybrid, leaf area is greater and the amount of photosynthate per plant is increased.

Overexpression of Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Enhanced Sucrose Content and Biomass Production in Transgenic Sugarcane

Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) is a key enzyme in sucrose synthesis, which controls sucrose content in plants. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of the overexpression of SoSPS1 gene on sucrose accumulation and carbon partitioning in transgenic sugarcane. The overexpression of SoSPS1 gene increased SPS activity and sucrose content in transgenic sugarcane leaves. More importantly, the overexpression enhanced soluble acid invertase (SAI) activity concomitant with the increase of glucose and fructose levels in the leaves, whereas sucrose synthase activity exhibited almost no change. In the stalk, a similar correlation was observed, but a higher correlation was noted between SPS activity and sugar content. These results suggest that SPS overexpression has both direct and indirect effects on sugar concentration and SAI activity in sugarcane. In addition, SPS overexpression resulted in a significant increase in plant height and stalk number in some transgenic lines compared to those in non-transgenic control. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that enhancing SPS activity is a useful strategy for improving sugarcane yield.

Elevated ammonium delays the impairment of the coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis during labile carbon pollution

Labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a major pollutant in coastal marine environments affected by anthropogenic impacts, and may significantly contribute to coral bleaching and subsequent mortality on coastal reefs. DOC can cause bleaching indirectly through the rapid proliferation of copiotrophic and pathogenic bacteria. Here we demonstrate that labile DOC compounds can also impair the coral-dinoflagellate symbiosis by directly affecting coral physiology on both the host and algal symbiont level. In a controlled aquarium experiment, we monitored over several weeks key physiological parameters of the tropical coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to ambient and elevated labile DOC levels (0.1 and 1.0 mM) in combination with low and high nitrogen (i.e. ammonium) conditions (0.2 and 4.0 μM). At the symbiont level, DOC exposure under low ammonium availability decreased the photosynthetic efficiency accompanied by ∼75 % Chl a and ∼50 % symbiont cell reduction. The photosynthetic functioning of the symbionts recovered once the DOC enrichment ceased indicating a reversible shift between autotrophic and heterotrophic metabolism. At the host level, the assimilation of exogenous DOC sustained the tissue carbon reserves, but induced a depletion of the nitrogen reserves, indicated by ∼35 % decreased protein levels. This suggests an imbalanced exogenous carbon to nitrogen supply with nitrogen potentially limiting host metabolism on the long-term. We also demonstrate that increased ammonium availability delayed DOC-induced bleaching likely by keeping symbionts in a photosynthetically competent state, which is crucial for symbiosis maintenance and coral survival. Overall, the present study provides further insights into how coastal pollution can de-stabilize the coral-algal symbiosis and cause coral bleaching. Therefore, reducing coastal pollution and sustaining ecological integrity are critical to strengthen the resilience of coral reefs facing climate change.

Sucrose and starch metabolism during Fargesia yunnanensis shoot growth

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, but their shoot buds develop very slowly. Information about the sugar storage and metabolism during the shoot growth is lacking. In the present study, we determined the activity of sucrose and starch metabolizing enzymes during the developmental period of Fargesia yunnanensis from shoot buds to the young culms that have achieved their full height. The soluble sugars and starch contents were also determined and analyzed in shoot buds and shoots at different developmental stages. The results showed that there were higher sucrose contents in shoot buds than shoots, which coincides with the sweeter taste of shoot buds. As the shoot buds sprouted out of the ground, the starch and sucrose were depleted sharply. Coupled with this, the activity of soluble acid invertase (SAI), cell wall-bound invertase (CWI), sucrose synthase at cleavage direction (SUSYC) and starch phosphorylase (STP) increased significantly in the rapidly elongating internodes. These enzymes dominated the rapid elongation of internodes. The activities of SAI, CWI, SUSYC and STP and adenosine diphosphate-glucose pyrophosphorylase were higher as compared to other enzymes in the shoot buds, but were far lower than those in the developing shoots. The slow growth of shoot buds was correlated with the low activity of these enzymes. These results complement our understanding of the physiological differences between shoot buds and elongating shoots and ascertain the physiological mechanism for the rapid growth of bamboo shoots.

Influence of sucrose concentration in the culture medium on the condition of the photosynthetic apparatus of grapes cultured in vitro

An influence of different sucrose concentrations in the culture media on the photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic apparatus related genes expression, oxidative processes and acclimation of grape plants cultured in vitro was examined in this article. An increase of the sucrose concentration in the culture media resulted in a reduced expression of several photosynthetic genes. The most effective functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus was discovered by a decreased amount of surcose in culture media. An increase of the sucrose concentration in the culture media disrupts pigments synthesis, particularly carotenoids, which can be a cause of the secondary oxidative stress formation and grape plants growth reduction during acclimation.

Interspecific differences in how sink-source imbalance causes photosynthetic downregulation among three legume species

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sink-source imbalance could cause an accumulation of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC; soluble sugar and starch) in source leaves. We aimed to clarify interspecific differences in how sink-source imbalance and TNC causes the downregulation of photosynthesis among three legume plants. The TNC in source leaves was altered by short-term manipulative treatments, and its effects on photosynthetic characteristics were evaluated.

METHODS

Soybean, French bean and azuki bean were grown under high nitrogen availability. After primary leaves were fully expanded, they were subjected to additional treatments: defoliation except for two primary leaves; transfer to low nitrogen conditions; transfer to low nitrogen conditions and defoliation; or irradiation by light-emitting diodes. Physiological and anatomical traits such as TNC content, maximum photosynthetic rate, cell wall content and δ13C values of primary leaves and whole-plant growth were examined.

KEY RESULTS

Among the three legume plants, the downregulation of maximum photosynthesis and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) content was co-ordinated with an increase in TNC only in French bean. Rubisco did not decrease with an increase in TNC in soybean and azuki bean. The defoliation treatment caused an increase in cell wall content especially in soybean, and maximum photosynthesis decreased despite resulting in a higher Rubisco content. This indicates that a decrease in mesophyll conductance could cause photosynthetic downregulation, which was confirmed by an increase in δ13C.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that a downregulation of photosynthesis in response to increased levels of TNC in source leaves can result not only from decreases in Rubisco content, but also from anatomical factors, such as an increase in cell wall thickness leading to reduced chloroplast CO2 concentrations.

Poultry biogas slurry can partially substitute for mineral fertilizers in hydroponic lettuce production

Poultry biogas slurry, a by-product of the biogas production process, is rich in nutrients. However, improper handling increases the potential for serious environmental contamination and resource waste. The preparation of nutrient solutions for hydroponic lettuce production requires large amounts of mineral fertilizers, which provides an opportunity for poultry biogas slurry to enter the crop nutrient cycle. To assess the feasibility of the application of poultry biogas slurry, we used different proportions of biogas slurry and mineral fertilizers in a hydroponics experiment with lettuce. Four treatments were established: HS (half-strength Hoagland solution), BS (2.6% biogas slurry), BS + HS (1.3% biogas slurry + quarter-strength Hoagland solution), and BS + MF (2.6% biogas slurry + mineral fertilizers). The addition of poultry biogas slurry (BS + HS) did not have an adverse effect on lettuce growth, significantly increased the soluble sugar concentration, reduced the nitrate concentration, and the concentrations of heavy metals were still within the safety standards. In addition, the application of poultry biogas slurry could effectively reduce the production costs, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions of hydroponically grown lettuce. Based on our study, poultry biogas slurry could replace 50% of the mineral fertilizer used in hydroponic lettuce production. The key is to control the electrical conductivity and replenish the nutrients that are lacking in the biogas slurry, especially magnesium.

Changes in sugar metabolism associated to stem bark thickening partially assist young tissues of Eriobotrya japonica seedlings under boron stress

Boron (B) toxicity frequently affects plant performances and productivity, especially in arid and semi-arid environments. In this experiment, loquat seedlings were subjected to 25 μM (control) or 400 μM B (B excess) to test the hypothesis that (i) B alters sugar/polyol metabolism in polyol-producing tree species as loquat and (ii) changes of leaf and stem anatomy assist young tissues against toxic effect of B. Gas exchange was monitored from the beginning of the experiment (FBE) till one week after the first visible symptoms of B toxicity appeared in the upper part of the stems (147 d FBE). At 147 FBE, plant biometric parameters and pattern of B accumulation, leaf and stem anatomy, chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics as well as biochemical measurements were assessed in top (asymptomatic) leaves and upper stem bark. Boron accumulated principally (in the row) in top leaves > top bark > top wood in B-stressed plants, but no changes in allocation pattern were found between controls and B-stressed plants. Excess B promoted the increase in the spongy layer of top leaves and caused the development of cork and numerous collenchyma cells with increased cell wall thickness. This mechanism, which has never been described before, can be considered an attempt to store excessive B in tissues where B ions are less harmful. The accumulation of sorbitol (B-complexing polyol) in top leaves and stem bark can be considered as a further attempt to detoxify B excess. However, B toxicity drastically affects the photosynthetic rate of top leaves, mainly due to non-stomatal limitations, i.e., reduction of ambient CO₂ use efficiency and of photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, modification of the partitioning excess energy dissipation in PSII, thus leading to an increased level of lipid peroxidation. Our results suggest that changes in sugar metabolism associated with leaf and stem bark thickening partially assist (but not totally preserve) young tissues of loquat plants under B stress.

Diurnal variation in gas exchange and nonstructural carbohydrates throughout sugarcane development

Photosynthesis and growth are dependent on environmental conditions and plant developmental stages. However, it is still not clear how the environment and development influence the diurnal dynamics of nonstructural carbohydrates production and how they affect growth. This is particularly the case of C4 plants such as sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Aiming to understand the dynamics of leaf gas exchange and nonstructural carbohydrates accumulation in different organs during diurnal cycles across the developmental stages, we evaluated these parameters in sugarcane plants in a 12-month field experiment. Our results show that during the first 3 months of development, light and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) were the primary drivers of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and growth. After 6 months, in addition to light and VPD, drought, carbohydrate accumulation and the mechanisms possibly associated with water status maintenance were also likely to play a role in gas exchange and growth regulation. Carbohydrates vary throughout the day in all organs until Month 9, consistent with their use for growth during the night. At 12 months, sucrose is accumulated in all organs and starch had accumulated in leaves without any diurnal variation. Understanding of how photosynthesis and the dynamics of carbohydrates are controlled might lead to strategies that could increase sugarcane's biomass production.

Rice Premature Leaf Senescence 2, Encoding a Glycosyltransferase (GT), Is Involved in Leaf Senescence

Premature leaf senescence (PLS), which has a significant impact on yield, is caused by various underlying mechanisms. Glycosyltransferases, which function in glycosyl transfer from activated nucleotides to aglycones, are involved in diverse biological processes, but their roles in rice leaf senescence remain elusive. Here, we isolated and characterized a leaf senescence-related gene from the Premature Leaf Senescent mutant (pls2). The mutant phenotype began with leaf yellowing at tillering and resulted in PLS during the reproductive stage. Leaf senescence was associated with an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content accompanied with pronounced decreases in net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate. Map-based cloning revealed that a mutation in LOC_Os03g15840 (PLS2), a putative glycosyltransferase- encoding gene, was responsible for the defective phenotype. PLS2 expression was detected in all tissues surveyed, but predominantly in leaf mesophyll cells. Subcellular localization of the PLS2 was in the endoplasmic reticulum. The pls2 mutant accumulated higher levels of sucrose together with decreased expression of sucrose metabolizing genes compared with wild type. These data suggested that the PLS2 allele is essential for normal leaf senescence and its mutation resulted in PLS.

The imbalance between C and N metabolism during high nitrate supply inhibits photosynthesis and overall growth in maize (Zea mays L.)

Nitrogen (N) is an important regulator of photosynthetic carbon (C) flow in plants, and an adequate balance between N and C metabolism is needed for correct plant development. However, an excessive N supply can alter this balance and cause changes in specific organic compounds associated with primary and secondary metabolism, including plant growth regulators. In previous work, we observed that high nitrate supply (15 mM) to maize plants led to a decrease in leaf expansion and overall biomass production, when compared with low nitrate supply (5 mM). Thus, the aim of this work is to study how overdoses of nitrate can affect photosynthesis and plant development. The results show that high nitrate doses greatly increased amino acid production, which led to a decrease in the concentration of 2-oxoglutarate, the main source of C skeletons for N assimilation. The concentration of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (and possibly its product, ethylene) also rose in high nitrate plants, leading to a decrease in leaf expansion, reducing the demand for photoassimilates by the growing tissues and causing the accumulation of sugars in source leaves. This accumulation of sugars, together with the decrease in 2-oxoglutarate levels and the reduction in chlorophyll concentration, decreased plant photosynthetic rates. This work provides new insights into how high nitrate concentration alters the balance between C and N metabolism, reducing photosynthetic rates and disrupting whole plant development. These findings are particularly relevant since negative effects of nitrate in contexts other than root growth have rarely been studied.

Photosynthetic Entrainment of the Circadian Clock Facilitates Plant Growth under Environmental Fluctuations: Perspectives from an Integrated Model of Phase Oscillator and Phloem Transportation

Plants need to avoid carbon starvation and resultant growth inhibition under fluctuating light environments to ensure optimal growth and reproduction. As diel patterns of carbon metabolism are influenced by the circadian clock, appropriate regulation of the clock is essential for plants to properly manage their carbon resources. For proper adjustment of the circadian phase, higher plants utilize environmental signals such as light or temperature and metabolic signals such as photosynthetic products; the importance of the latter as phase regulators has been recently elucidated. A mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana that is deficient in phase response to sugar has been shown, under fluctuating light conditions, to be unable to adjust starch turnover and to realize carbon homeostasis. Whereas, the effects of light entrainment on growth and survival of higher plants are well studied, the impact of phase regulation by sugar remains unknown. Here we show that endogenous sugar entrainment facilitates plant growth. We integrated two mathematical models, one describing the dynamics of carbon metabolism in A. thaliana source leaves and the other growth of sink tissues dependent on sucrose translocation from the source. The integrated model predicted that sugar-sensitive plants grow faster than sugar-insensitive plants under constant as well as changing photoperiod conditions. We found that sugar entrainment enables efficient carbon investment for growth by stabilizing sucrose supply to sink tissues. Our results highlight the importance of clock entrainment by both exogenous and endogenous signals for optimizing growth and increasing fitness.

Effects of low sink demand on leaf photosynthesis under potassium deficiency

The interaction between low sink demand and potassium (K) deficiency in leaf photosynthesis was not intensively investigated, therefore this interaction was investigated in winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). Plants subjected to sufficient (+K) or insufficient (-K) K supply treatments were maintained or removed their flowers and pods; these conditions were defined as high sink demand (HS) or low sink demand (LS), respectively. The low sink demand induced a lower photosynthetic rate (P_n), especially in the -K treatment during the first week. A negative relationship between P_n and carbohydrate concentration was observed in the -K treatment but not in the +K treatment, suggesting that the decrease in P_n in the -K treatment was the result of sink feedback regulation under low sink demand. Longer sink removal duration increased carbohydrate concentration, but the enhanced assimilate did not influence P_n. On the contrary, low sink demand resulted in a high K concentration, slower chloroplast degradation rate and better PSII activity, inducing a higher P_n compared with HS. Consequently, low sink demand decreased leaf photosynthesis over the short term due to sink feedback regulation, and potassium deficiency enhanced the photosynthetic decrease through carbohydrate accumulation and a lower carbohydrate concentration threshold for initiating photosynthesis depression. A longer duration of limited sink demand and sufficient potassium supply resulted in a higher photosynthesis rate because of delayed chloroplast degradation. This finding indicates that the nutritional status plays a role in leaf photosynthesis variations due to sink-source manipulation.

Increased sink strength offsets the inhibitory effect of sucrose on sugarcane photosynthesis

Spraying sucrose inhibits photosynthesis by impairing Rubisco activity and stomatal conductance (g_s), whereas increasing sink demand by partially darkening the plant stimulates sugarcane photosynthesis. We hypothesized that the stimulatory effect of darkness can offset the inhibitory effect of exogenous sucrose on photosynthesis. Source-sink relationship was perturbed in two sugarcane cultivars by imposing partial darkness, spraying a sucrose solution (50mM) and their combination. Five days after the onset of the treatments, the maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate (V_cmax) and the initial slope of A-C_i curve (k) were estimated by measuring leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence. Photosynthesis was inhibited by sucrose spraying in both genotypes, through decreases in V_cmax, k, g_s and ATP production driven by electron transport (J_atp). Photosynthesis of plants subjected to the combination of partial darkness and sucrose spraying was similar to photosynthesis of reference plants for both genotypes. Significant increases in V_cmax, g_s and J_atp and marginal increases in k were noticed when combining partial darkness and sucrose spraying compared with sucrose spraying alone. Our data also revealed that increases in sink strength due to partial darkness offset the inhibition of sugarcane photosynthesis caused by sucrose spraying, enhancing the knowledge on endogenous regulation of sugarcane photosynthesis through the source-sink relationship.

Increased Photochemical Efficiency in Cyanobacteria via an Engineered Sucrose Sink

In plants, a limited capacity to utilize or export the end-products of the Calvin-Benson cycle (CB) from photosynthetically active source cells to non-photosynthetic sink cells can result in reduced carbon capture and photosynthetic electron transport (PET), and lowered photochemical efficiency. The down-regulation of photosynthesis caused by reduced capacity to utilize photosynthate has been termed 'sink limitation'. Recently, several cyanobacterial and algal strains engineered to overproduce target metabolites have exhibited increased photochemistry, suggesting that possible source-sink regulatory mechanisms may be involved. We directly examined photochemical properties following induction of a heterologous sucrose 'sink' in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. We show that total photochemistry increases proportionally to the experimentally controlled rate of sucrose export. Importantly, the quantum yield of PSII (ΦII) increases in response to sucrose export while the PET chain becomes more oxidized from less PSI acceptor-side limitation, suggesting increased CB activity and a decrease in sink limitation. Enhanced photosynthetic activity and linear electron flow are detectable within hours of induction of the heterologous sink and are independent of pigmentation alterations or the ionic/osmotic effects of the induction system. These observations provide direct evidence that secretion of heterologous carbon bioproducts can be used as an alternative approach to improve photosynthetic efficiency, presumably by by-passing sink limitation. Our results also suggest that engineered microalgal production strains are valuable alternative models for examining photosynthetic sink limitation because they enable greater control and monitoring of metabolite fluxes relative to plants.

PtrA/NINV, an alkaline/neutral invertase gene of Poncirus trifoliata, confers enhanced tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses by modulating ROS levels and maintaining photosynthetic efficiency

BACKGROUND

Alkaline/neutral invertase (A/N-INV), an enzyme that hydrolyzes sucrose irreversibly into glucose and fructose, is essential for normal plant growth,development, and stress tolerance. However, the physiological and/or molecular mechanism underpinning the role of A/N-INV in abiotic stress tolerance is poorly understood.

RESULTS

In this report, an A/N-INV gene (PtrA/NINV) was isolated from Poncirus trifoliata, a cold-hardy relative of citrus, and functionally characterized. PtrA/NINV expression levels were induced by cold, salt, dehydration, sucrose, and ABA, but decreased by glucose. PtrA/NINV was found to localize in both chloroplasts and mitochondria. Overexpression of PtrA/NINV conferred enhanced tolerance to multiple stresses, including cold, high salinity, and drought, as supported by lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced oxidative damages, decreased water loss rate, and increased photosynthesis efficiency, relative to wild-type (WT). The transgenic plants exhibited higher A/N-INV activity and greater reducing sugar content under normal and stress conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

PtrA/NINV is an important gene implicated in sucrose decomposition, and plays a positive role in abiotic stress tolerance by promoting osmotic adjustment, ROS detoxification and photosynthesis efficiency. Thus, PtrA/NINV has great potential to be used in transgenic breeding for improvement of stress tolerance.

PtrA/NINV, an alkaline/neutral invertase gene of Poncirus trifoliata, confers enhanced tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses by modulating ROS levels and maintaining photosynthetic efficiency

BACKGROUND

Alkaline/neutral invertase (A/N-INV), an enzyme that hydrolyzes sucrose irreversibly into glucose and fructose, is essential for normal plant growth,development, and stress tolerance. However, the physiological and/or molecular mechanism underpinning the role of A/N-INV in abiotic stress tolerance is poorly understood.

RESULTS

In this report, an A/N-INV gene (PtrA/NINV) was isolated from Poncirus trifoliata, a cold-hardy relative of citrus, and functionally characterized. PtrA/NINV expression levels were induced by cold, salt, dehydration, sucrose, and ABA, but decreased by glucose. PtrA/NINV was found to localize in both chloroplasts and mitochondria. Overexpression of PtrA/NINV conferred enhanced tolerance to multiple stresses, including cold, high salinity, and drought, as supported by lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced oxidative damages, decreased water loss rate, and increased photosynthesis efficiency, relative to wild-type (WT). The transgenic plants exhibited higher A/N-INV activity and greater reducing sugar content under normal and stress conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

PtrA/NINV is an important gene implicated in sucrose decomposition, and plays a positive role in abiotic stress tolerance by promoting osmotic adjustment, ROS detoxification and photosynthesis efficiency. Thus, PtrA/NINV has great potential to be used in transgenic breeding for improvement of stress tolerance.

Physiological and transcriptional analyses of developmental stages along sugarcane leaf

BACKGROUND

Sugarcane is one of the major crops worldwide. It is cultivated in over 100 countries on 22 million ha. The complex genetic architecture and the lack of a complete genomic sequence in sugarcane hamper the adoption of molecular approaches to study its physiology and to develop new varieties. Investments on the development of new sugarcane varieties have been made to maximize sucrose yield, a trait dependent on photosynthetic capacity. However, detailed studies on sugarcane leaves are scarce. In this work, we report the first molecular and physiological characterization of events taking place along a leaf developmental gradient in sugarcane.

RESULTS

Photosynthetic response to CO2 indicated divergence in photosynthetic capacity based on PEPcase activity, corroborated by activity quantification (both in vivo and in vitro) and distinct levels of carbon discrimination on different segments along leaf length. Additionally, leaf segments had contrasting amount of chlorophyll, nitrogen and sugars. RNA-Seq data indicated a plethora of biochemical pathways differentially expressed along the leaf. Some transcription factors families were enriched on each segment and their putative functions corroborate with the distinct developmental stages. Several genes with higher expression in the middle segment, the one with the highest photosynthetic rates, were identified and their role in sugarcane productivity is discussed. Interestingly, sugarcane leaf segments had a different transcriptional behavior compared to previously published data from maize.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of leaf developmental analysis in sugarcane. Our data on sugarcane is another source of information for further studies aiming to understand and/or improve C4 photosynthesis. The segments used in this work were distinct in their physiological status allowing deeper molecular analysis. Although limited in some aspects, the comparison to maize indicates that all data acquired on one C4 species cannot always be easily extrapolated to other species. However, our data indicates that some transcriptional factors were segment-specific and the sugarcane leaf undergoes through the process of suberizarion, photosynthesis establishment and senescence.

Oral delivery of Acid Alpha Glucosidase epitopes expressed in plant chloroplasts suppresses antibody formation in treatment of Pompe mice

Deficiency of acid alpha glucosidase (GAA) causes Pompe disease in which the patients systemically accumulate lysosomal glycogen in muscles and nervous systems, often resulting in infant mortality. Although enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is effective in treating patients with Pompe disease, formation of antibodies against rhGAA complicates treatment. In this report, we investigated induction of tolerance by oral administration of GAA expressed in chloroplasts. Because full-length GAA could not be expressed, N-terminal 410-amino acids of GAA (as determined by T-cell epitope mapping) were fused with the transmucosal carrier CTB. Tobacco transplastomic lines expressing CTB-GAA were generated through site-specific integration of transgenes into the chloroplast genome. Homoplasmic lines were confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Despite low-level expression of CTB-GAA in chloroplasts, yellow or albino phenotype of transplastomic lines was observed due to binding of GAA to a chloroplast protein that has homology to mannose-6 phosphate receptor. Oral administration of the plant-made CTB-GAA fusion protein even at 330-fold lower dose (1.5 μg) significantly suppressed immunoglobulin formation against GAA in Pompe mice injected with 500 μg rhGAA per dose, with several-fold lower titre of GAA-specific IgG1 and IgG2a. Lyophilization increased CTB-GAA concentration by 30-fold (up to 190 μg per g of freeze-dried leaf material), facilitating long-term storage at room temperature and higher dosage in future investigations. This study provides the first evidence that oral delivery of plant cells is effective in reducing antibody responses in ERT for lysosomal storage disorders facilitating further advances in clinical investigations using plant cell culture system or in vitro propagation.