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Li C, Wang J, Lan H, Yu Q. Enhanced drought tolerance and photosynthetic efficiency in Arabidopsis by overexpressing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from a single-cell C4 halophyte Suaeda aralocaspica. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1443691. [PMID: 39280952 PMCID: PMC11392766 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1443691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
In crop genetic improvement, the introduction of C4 plants' characteristics, known for high photosynthetic efficiency and water utilization, into C3 plants has been a significant challenge. This study investigates the effects of the desert halophyte Suaeda aralocaspica SaPEPC1 gene from a single-cell C4 photosythetic pathway, on drought resistance and photosynthetic performance in Arabidopsis. We used transgenic Arabidopsis with Zea mays ZmPEPC1 from C4 plant with classic Kranz anatomical structure and Arabidopsis AtPEPC1 from C3 photosynthetic cycle plants as controls. The results demonstrated that C4 photosynthetic-type PEPCs could improve drought resistance in plants through stomatal closure, promoting antioxidant enzyme accumulation, and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Overexpression of SaPEPC1 was significantly more effective than ZmPEPC1 in enhancing drought tolerance. Notably, overexpressed SaPEPC1 significantly improved light saturation intensity, electron transport rate (ETR), photosynthetic rate (Pn), and photoprotection ability under intense light. Furthermore, overexpression SaPEPC1 or ZmPEPC1 enhanced the activity of key C4 photosynthetic enzymes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) and NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), and promoted photosynthetic product sugar accumulation. However, with AtPEPC1 overexpression showing no obvious improvement effect on drought and photosynthetic performance. Therefore, these results indicated that introducing C4-type PEPC into C3 plants can significantly enhance drought resistance and photosynthetic performance. However, SaPEPC1 from a single-cell C4 cycle plant exhibits more significant effect in ETR and PSII photosynthesis performance than ZmPEPC1 from a classical C4 anatomical structure plant, although the underlying mechanism requires further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Li
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Institute of Horticulture Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, China
| | - Haiyan Lan
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China
| | - Qinghui Yu
- Institute of Horticulture Crops, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Urumqi, China
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2
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Wang H, Chen B, Shen X. Extreme rainfall, farmer vulnerability, and labor mobility-Evidence from rural China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170866. [PMID: 38340843 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The recurrent occurrence of extreme weather events poses a significant threat to agricultural production, food security, and sustainable economic development. Understanding farmers' adaptive responses to cope with these challenges is pivotal for informing and implementing effective climate resilience policies. This study utilizes the Spatial Precipitation Index (SPI) to assess rainfall patterns and applies fixed effects methods to analyze extreme rainfall shocks' impact on rural households, using panel data from China's 2006-2015 National Rural Fixed Point Survey. Below are the results. Firstly, both drought and rainstorm shocks negatively affect agricultural yield and income, highlighting farmers' vulnerability to extreme rainfall events. Secondly, farmers respond to these shocks by reallocating labor from agriculture to non-agricultural sectors or migrating to urban areas, with these labor mobility patterns typically being temporary. Thirdly, there's notable heterogeneity linked to household affluence. Less affluent rural households experienced more pronounced declines in yield and income, compelling higher migration rates. Collectively, our findings shed light on how Chinese rural households strategically adjust their labor decisions to respond to extreme rainfall shocks through inter-sectoral and inter-regional labor mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heer Wang
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China.
| | - Bo Chen
- School of Economics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, PR China
| | - Xuhang Shen
- School of Economics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
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3
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Borghi GL, Arrivault S, Günther M, Barbosa Medeiros D, Dell’Aversana E, Fusco GM, Carillo P, Ludwig M, Fernie AR, Lunn JE, Stitt M. Metabolic profiles in C3, C3-C4 intermediate, C4-like, and C4 species in the genus Flaveria. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:1581-1601. [PMID: 34910813 PMCID: PMC8890617 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
C4 photosynthesis concentrates CO2 around Rubisco in the bundle sheath, favouring carboxylation over oxygenation and decreasing photorespiration. This complex trait evolved independently in >60 angiosperm lineages. Its evolution can be investigated in genera such as Flaveria (Asteraceae) that contain species representing intermediate stages between C3 and C4 photosynthesis. Previous studies have indicated that the first major change in metabolism probably involved relocation of glycine decarboxylase and photorespiratory CO2 release to the bundle sheath and establishment of intercellular shuttles to maintain nitrogen stoichiometry. This was followed by selection for a CO2-concentrating cycle between phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in the mesophyll and decarboxylases in the bundle sheath, and relocation of Rubisco to the latter. We have profiled 52 metabolites in nine Flaveria species and analysed 13CO2 labelling patterns for four species. Our results point to operation of multiple shuttles, including movement of aspartate in C3-C4 intermediates and a switch towards a malate/pyruvate shuttle in C4-like species. The malate/pyruvate shuttle increases from C4-like to complete C4 species, accompanied by a rise in ancillary organic acid pools. Our findings support current models and uncover further modifications of metabolism along the evolutionary path to C4 photosynthesis in the genus Flaveria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Luca Borghi
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Stéphanie Arrivault
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Manuela Günther
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - David Barbosa Medeiros
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Emilia Dell’Aversana
- Universitá degli Studi della Campania, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Giovanna Marta Fusco
- Universitá degli Studi della Campania, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Petronia Carillo
- Universitá degli Studi della Campania, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Martha Ludwig
- The University of Western Australia, School of Molecular Sciences, 35 Stirling Highway, 6009 Perth, Australia
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - John E Lunn
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Mark Stitt
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, D-14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
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Yang X, Liu D, Lu H, Weston DJ, Chen JG, Muchero W, Martin S, Liu Y, Hassan MM, Yuan G, Kalluri UC, Tschaplinski TJ, Mitchell JC, Wullschleger SD, Tuskan GA. Biological Parts for Plant Biodesign to Enhance Land-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal. BIODESIGN RESEARCH 2021; 2021:9798714. [PMID: 37849951 PMCID: PMC10521660 DOI: 10.34133/2021/9798714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A grand challenge facing society is climate change caused mainly by rising CO2 concentration in Earth's atmosphere. Terrestrial plants are linchpins in global carbon cycling, with a unique capability of capturing CO2 via photosynthesis and translocating captured carbon to stems, roots, and soils for long-term storage. However, many researchers postulate that existing land plants cannot meet the ambitious requirement for CO2 removal to mitigate climate change in the future due to low photosynthetic efficiency, limited carbon allocation for long-term storage, and low suitability for the bioeconomy. To address these limitations, there is an urgent need for genetic improvement of existing plants or construction of novel plant systems through biosystems design (or biodesign). Here, we summarize validated biological parts (e.g., protein-encoding genes and noncoding RNAs) for biological engineering of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) traits in terrestrial plants to accelerate land-based decarbonization in bioenergy plantations and agricultural settings and promote a vibrant bioeconomy. Specifically, we first summarize the framework of plant-based CDR (e.g., CO2 capture, translocation, storage, and conversion to value-added products). Then, we highlight some representative biological parts, with experimental evidence, in this framework. Finally, we discuss challenges and strategies for the identification and curation of biological parts for CDR engineering in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Yang
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Degao Liu
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Center for Precision Plant Genomics, and Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Haiwei Lu
- Department of Academic Education, Central Community College-Hastings, Hastings, NE 68902USA
| | - David J. Weston
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Jin-Gui Chen
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Wellington Muchero
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Stanton Martin
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Md Mahmudul Hassan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Guoliang Yuan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Udaya C. Kalluri
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Timothy J. Tschaplinski
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Julie C. Mitchell
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Stan D. Wullschleger
- Environmental Sciences Division and Climate Change Science Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Gerald A. Tuskan
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- The Center for Bioenergy Innovation, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
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Chatterjee J, Coe RA, Acebron K, Thakur V, Yennamalli RM, Danila F, Lin HC, Balahadia CP, Bagunu E, Padhma PPOS, Bala S, Yin X, Rizal G, Dionora J, Furbank RT, von Caemmerer S, Quick WP. A low CO2-responsive mutant of Setaria viridis reveals that reduced carbonic anhydrase limits C4 photosynthesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:3122-3136. [PMID: 33528493 PMCID: PMC8023212 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In C4 species, β-carbonic anhydrase (CA), localized to the cytosol of the mesophyll cells, accelerates the interconversion of CO2 to HCO3-, the substrate used by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in the first step of C4 photosynthesis. Here we describe the identification and characterization of low CO2-responsive mutant 1 (lcr1) isolated from an N-nitroso-N-methylurea- (NMU) treated Setaria viridis mutant population. Forward genetic investigation revealed that the mutated gene Sevir.5G247800 of lcr1 possessed a single nucleotide transition from cytosine to thymine in a β-CA gene causing an amino acid change from leucine to phenylalanine. This resulted in severe reduction in growth and photosynthesis in the mutant. Both the CO2 compensation point and carbon isotope discrimination values of the mutant were significantly increased. Growth of the mutants was stunted when grown under ambient pCO2 but recovered at elevated pCO2. Further bioinformatics analyses revealed that the mutation has led to functional changes in one of the conserved residues of the protein, situated near the catalytic site. CA transcript accumulation in the mutant was 80% lower, CA protein accumulation 30% lower, and CA activity ~98% lower compared with the wild type. Changes in the abundance of other primary C4 pathway enzymes were observed; accumulation of PEPC protein was significantly increased and accumulation of malate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme decreased. The reduction of CA protein activity and abundance in lcr1 restricts the supply of bicarbonate to PEPC, limiting C4 photosynthesis and growth. This study establishes Sevir.5G247800 as the major CA allele in Setaria for C4 photosynthesis and provides important insights into the function of CA in C4 photosynthesis that would be required to generate a rice plant with a functional C4 biochemical pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolly Chatterjee
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Robert A Coe
- CSIRO Agriculture Flagship, Australian Plant Phenomics Facility, GPO Box 1500, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Kelvin Acebron
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Vivek Thakur
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
- Department of Systems & Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, India
| | - Ragothaman M Yennamalli
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu-613401, India
| | - Florence Danila
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, GPO Box 1500, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Hsiang-Chun Lin
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | | | - Efren Bagunu
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Preiya P O S Padhma
- Department of Systems & Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, India
| | - Soumi Bala
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, GPO Box 1500, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Xiaojia Yin
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Govinda Rizal
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Jacqueline Dionora
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Robert T Furbank
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, GPO Box 1500, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Susanne von Caemmerer
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, GPO Box 1500, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - William Paul Quick
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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6
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Muhammad I, Shalmani A, Ali M, Yang QH, Ahmad H, Li FB. Mechanisms Regulating the Dynamics of Photosynthesis Under Abiotic Stresses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 11:615942. [PMID: 33584756 PMCID: PMC7876081 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.615942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthesis sustains plant life on earth and is indispensable for plant growth and development. Factors such as unfavorable environmental conditions, stress regulatory networks, and plant biochemical processes limits the photosynthetic efficiency of plants and thereby threaten food security worldwide. Although numerous physiological approaches have been used to assess the performance of key photosynthetic components and their stress responses, though, these approaches are not extensive enough and do not favor strategic improvement of photosynthesis under abiotic stresses. The decline in photosynthetic capacity of plants due to these stresses is directly associated with reduction in yield. Therefore, a detailed information of the plant responses and better understanding of the photosynthetic machinery could help in developing new crop plants with higher yield even under stressed environments. Interestingly, cracking of signaling and metabolic pathways, identification of some key regulatory elements, characterization of potential genes, and phytohormone responses to abiotic factors have advanced our knowledge related to photosynthesis. However, our understanding of dynamic modulation of photosynthesis under dramatically fluctuating natural environments remains limited. Here, we provide a detailed overview of the research conducted on photosynthesis to date, and highlight the abiotic stress factors (heat, salinity, drought, high light, and heavy metal) that limit the performance of the photosynthetic machinery. Further, we reviewed the role of transcription factor genes and various enzymes involved in the process of photosynthesis under abiotic stresses. Finally, we discussed the recent progress in the field of biodegradable compounds, such as chitosan and humic acid, and the effect of melatonin (bio-stimulant) on photosynthetic activity. Based on our gathered researched data set, the logical concept of photosynthetic regulation under abiotic stresses along with improvement strategies will expand and surely accelerate the development of stress tolerance mechanisms, wider adaptability, higher survival rate, and yield potential of plant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izhar Muhammad
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Abdullah Shalmani
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Department of Horticulture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Hua Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Husain Ahmad
- College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Feng Bai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Stress Biology for Arid Areas, College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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Liu H, Mullan D, Zhang C, Zhao S, Li X, Zhang A, Lu Z, Wang Y, Yan G. Major genomic regions responsible for wheat yield and its components as revealed by meta-QTL and genotype-phenotype association analyses. PLANTA 2020; 252:65. [PMID: 32970252 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-020-03466-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis was done for yield-related traits in wheat. Candidate genes were identified within the refined MQTL and further validated by genotype-phenotype association analysis. Extensive studies have been undertaken on quantitative trait locus/loci (QTL) for wheat yield and its component traits. This study conducted a meta-analysis of 381 QTL related to wheat yield under various environments, including irrigated, drought- and/or heat-stressed conditions. Markers flanking meta-QTL (MQTL) were mapped on the wheat reference genome for their physical positions. Putative candidate genes were examined for MQTL with a physical interval of less than 20 Mbp. A total of 86 MQTL were identified as responsible for yield, of which 34 were for irrigated environments, 39 for drought-stressed environments, 36 for heat-stressed environments, and 23 for both drought- and heat-stressed environments. The high-confidence genes within the physical positions of the MQTL flanking markers were screened in the reference genome RefSeq V1.0, which identified 210 putative candidate genes. The phenotypic data for 14 contrasting genotypes with either high or low yield performance-according to the Australian National Variety Trials-were associated with their genotypic data obtained through ddRAD sequencing, which validated 18 genes or gene clusters associated with MQTL that had important roles for wheat yield. The detected and refined MQTL and candidate genes will be useful for marker-assisted selection of high yield in wheat breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- School of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Daniel Mullan
- InterGrain Pty Ltd, 19 Ambitious Link, Bibra Lake, WA, 6163, Australia
| | - Chi Zhang
- Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen, 518053, China
| | - Shancen Zhao
- Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen, 518053, China
| | - Xin Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chicness Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Aimin Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chicness Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhanyuan Lu
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, No. 22, Yuquan Qu Zhaojun Lu, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Wheat Research Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Guijun Yan
- School of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science and The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
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Cheuk A, Ouellet F, Houde M. The barley stripe mosaic virus expression system reveals the wheat C2H2 zinc finger protein TaZFP1B as a key regulator of drought tolerance. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 20:144. [PMID: 32264833 PMCID: PMC7140352 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-020-02355-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drought stress is one of the major factors limiting wheat production globally. Improving drought tolerance is important for agriculture sustainability. Although various morphological, physiological and biochemical responses associated with drought tolerance have been documented, the molecular mechanisms and regulatory genes that are needed to improve drought tolerance in crops require further investigation. We have used a novel 4-component version (for overexpression) and a 3-component version (for underexpression) of a barley stripe mosaic virus-based (BSMV) system for functional characterization of the C2H2-type zinc finger protein TaZFP1B in wheat. These expression systems avoid the need to produce transgenic plant lines and greatly speed up functional gene characterization. RESULTS We show that overexpression of TaZFP1B stimulates plant growth and up-regulates different oxidative stress-responsive genes under well-watered conditions. Plants that overexpress TaZFP1B are more drought tolerant at critical periods of the plant's life cycle. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis revealed that plants overexpressing TaZFP1B reprogram their transcriptome, resulting in physiological and physical modifications that help wheat to grow and survive under drought stress. In contrast, plants transformed to underexpress TaZFP1B are significantly less tolerant to drought and growth is negatively affected. CONCLUSIONS This study clearly shows that the two versions of the BSMV system can be used for fast and efficient functional characterization of genes in crops. The extent of transcriptome reprogramming in plants that overexpress TaZFP1B indicates that the encoded transcription factor is a key regulator of drought tolerance in wheat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Cheuk
- Département des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Francois Ouellet
- Département des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Mario Houde
- Département des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3P8, Canada.
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Kohli A, Miro B, Balié J, d’A Hughes J. Photosynthesis research: a model to bridge fundamental science, translational products, and socio-economic considerations in agriculture. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:2281-2298. [PMID: 32076700 PMCID: PMC7135011 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite impressive success in molecular physiological understanding of photosynthesis, and preliminary evidence on its potential for quantum shifts in agricultural productivity, the question remains of whether increased photosynthesis, without parallel fine-tuning of the associated processes, is enough. There is a distinct lack of formal socio-economic impact studies that address the critical questions of product profiling, cost-benefit analysis, environmental trade-offs, and technological and market forces in product acceptability. When a relatively well understood process gains enough traction for translational value, its broader scientific and technical gap assessment, in conjunction with its socio-economic impact assessment for success, should be a prerequisite. The successes in the upstream basic understanding of photosynthesis should be integrated with a gap analysis for downstream translational applications to impact the farmers' and customers' lifestyles and livelihoods. The purpose of this review is to assess how the laboratory, the field, and the societal demands from photosynthesis could generate a transformative product. Two crucial recommendations from the analysis of the state of knowledge and potential ways forward are (i) the formulation of integrative mega-projects, which span the multistakeholder spectrum, to ensure rapid success in harnessing the transformative power of photosynthesis; and (ii) stipulating spatiotemporal, labour, and economic criteria to stage-gate deliverables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kohli
- International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Berta Miro
- International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Jean Balié
- International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines
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Yadav S, Mishra A. Ectopic expression of C 4 photosynthetic pathway genes improves carbon assimilation and alleviate stress tolerance for future climate change. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 26:195-209. [PMID: 32153323 PMCID: PMC7036372 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-019-00751-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Alteration in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and other environmental factors are the significant cues of global climate change. Environmental factors affect the most fundamental biological process including photosynthesis and different metabolic pathways. The feeding of the rapidly growing world population is another challenge which imposes pressure to improve productivity and quality of the existing crops. C4 plants are considered the most productive, containing lower photorespiration, and higher water-use & N-assimilation efficiencies, compared to C3 plants. Besides, the C4-photosynthetic genes not only play an important role in carbon assimilation but also modulate abiotic stresses. In this review, fundamental three metabolic processes (C4, C3, and CAM) of carbon dioxide assimilation, the evolution of C4-photosynthetic genes, effect of elevated CO2 on photosynthesis, and overexpression of C4-photosynthetic genes for higher photosynthesis were discussed. Kranz-anatomy is considered an essential prerequisite for the terrestrial C4 carbon assimilation, but single-celled C4 plant species changed this well-established paradigm. C4 plants are insensitive to an elevated CO2 stress condition but performed better under stress conditions. Overexpression of essential C4-photosynthetic genes such as PEPC, PPDK, and NADP-ME in C3 plants like Arabidopsis, tobacco, rice, wheat, and potato not only improved photosynthesis but also provided tolerance to various environmental stresses, especially drought. The review provides useful information for sustainable productivity and yield under elevated CO2 environment, which to be explored further for CO2 assimilation and also abiotic stress tolerance. Additionally, it provides a better understanding to explore C4-photosynthetic gene(s) to cope with global warming and prospective adverse climatic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonam Yadav
- Division of Applied Phycology and Biotechnology, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G. B. Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat India
| | - Avinash Mishra
- Division of Applied Phycology and Biotechnology, CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, G. B. Marg, Bhavnagar, Gujarat India
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Ermakova M, Danila FR, Furbank RT, von Caemmerer S. On the road to C 4 rice: advances and perspectives. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 101:940-950. [PMID: 31596523 PMCID: PMC7065233 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The international C4 rice consortium aims to introduce into rice a high capacity photosynthetic mechanism, the C4 pathway, to increase yield. The C4 pathway is characterised by a complex combination of biochemical and anatomical specialisation that ensures high CO2 partial pressure at RuBisCO sites in bundle sheath (BS) cells. Here we report an update of the progress of the C4 rice project. Since its inception in 2008 there has been an exponential growth in synthetic biology and molecular tools. Golden Gate cloning and synthetic promoter systems have facilitated gene building block approaches allowing multiple enzymes and metabolite transporters to be assembled and expressed from single gene constructs. Photosynthetic functionalisation of the BS in rice remains an important step and there has been some success overexpressing transcription factors in the cytokinin signalling network which influence chloroplast volume. The C4 rice project has rejuvenated the research interest in C4 photosynthesis. Comparative anatomical studies now point to critical features essential for the design. So far little attention has been paid to the energetics. C4 photosynthesis has a greater ATP requirement, which is met by increased cyclic electron transport in BS cells. We hypothesise that changes in energy statues may drive this increased capacity for cyclic electron flow without the need for further modification. Although increasing vein density will ultimately be necessary for high efficiency C4 rice, our modelling shows that small amounts of C4 photosynthesis introduced around existing veins could already provide benefits of increased photosynthesis on the road to C4 rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ermakova
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational PhotosynthesisDivision of Plant ScienceResearch School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACT2601Australia
| | - Florence R. Danila
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational PhotosynthesisDivision of Plant ScienceResearch School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACT2601Australia
| | - Robert T. Furbank
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational PhotosynthesisDivision of Plant ScienceResearch School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACT2601Australia
| | - Susanne von Caemmerer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational PhotosynthesisDivision of Plant ScienceResearch School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACT2601Australia
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12
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Giuliani R, Karki S, Covshoff S, Lin HC, Coe RA, Koteyeva NK, Evans MA, Quick WP, von Caemmerer S, Furbank RT, Hibberd JM, Edwards GE, Cousins AB. Transgenic maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase alters leaf-atmosphere CO 2 and 13CO 2 exchanges in Oryza sativa. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2019; 142:153-167. [PMID: 31325077 PMCID: PMC6848035 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-019-00655-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The engineering process of C4 photosynthesis into C3 plants requires an increased activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in the cytosol of leaf mesophyll cells. The literature varies on the physiological effect of transgenic maize (Zea mays) PEPC (ZmPEPC) leaf expression in Oryza sativa (rice). Therefore, to address this issue, leaf-atmosphere CO2 and 13CO2 exchanges were measured, both in the light (at atmospheric O2 partial pressure of 1.84 kPa and at different CO2 levels) and in the dark, in transgenic rice expressing ZmPEPC and wild-type (WT) plants. The in vitro PEPC activity was 25 times higher in the PEPC overexpressing (PEPC-OE) plants (~20% of maize) compared to the negligible activity in WT. In the PEPC-OE plants, the estimated fraction of carboxylation by PEPC (β) was ~6% and leaf net biochemical discrimination against 13CO2[Formula: see text] was ~ 2‰ lower than in WT. However, there were no differences in leaf net CO2 assimilation rates (A) between genotypes, while the leaf dark respiration rates (Rd) over three hours after light-dark transition were enhanced (~ 30%) and with a higher 13C composition [Formula: see text] in the PEPC-OE plants compared to WT. These data indicate that ZmPEPC in the PEPC-OE rice plants contributes to leaf carbon metabolism in both the light and in the dark. However, there are some factors, potentially posttranslational regulation and PEP availability, which reduce ZmPEPC activity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Giuliani
- School of Biological Sciences, Molecular Plant Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Shanta Karki
- C4 Rice Center, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Sarah Covshoff
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Hsiang-Chun Lin
- C4 Rice Center, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Robert A Coe
- C4 Rice Center, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Nuria K Koteyeva
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Morphology, V.L. Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prof. Popov Street 2, St. Petersburg, Russia, 197376
| | - Marc A Evans
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-3113, USA
| | - W Paul Quick
- C4 Rice Center, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Susanne von Caemmerer
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | - Robert T Furbank
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | - Julian M Hibberd
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EA, UK
| | - Gerald E Edwards
- School of Biological Sciences, Molecular Plant Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA
| | - Asaph B Cousins
- School of Biological Sciences, Molecular Plant Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-4236, USA.
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Éva C, Oszvald M, Tamás L. Current and possible approaches for improving photosynthetic efficiency. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2019; 280:433-440. [PMID: 30824023 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important tasks laying ahead today's biotechnology is to improve crop productivity with the aim of meeting increased food and energy demands of humankind. Plant productivity depends on many genetic factors, including life cycle, harvest index, stress tolerance and photosynthetic activity. Many approaches were already tested or suggested to improve either. Limitations of photosynthesis have also been uncovered and efforts been taken to increase its efficiency. Examples include decreasing photosynthetic antennae size, increasing the photosynthetically available light spectrum, countering oxygenase activity of Rubisco by implementing C4 photosynthesis to C3 plants and altering source to sink transport of metabolites. A natural and effective photosynthetic adaptation, the sugar alcohol metabolism got however remarkably little attention in the last years, despite being comparably efficient as C4, and can be considered easier to introduce to new species. We also propose root to shoot carbon-dioxide transport as a means to improve photosynthetic performance and drought tolerance at the same time. Different suggestions and successful examples are covered here for improving plant photosynthesis as well as novel perspectives are presented for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Éva
- Applied Genomics Department, Agricultural Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Martonvásár 2462, Hungary.
| | - Mária Oszvald
- Plant Biology and Crop Science, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - László Tamás
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Plant Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest 1117, Hungary
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Lim SD, Lee S, Choi WG, Yim WC, Cushman JC. Laying the Foundation for Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) Biodesign: Expression of the C 4 Metabolism Cycle Genes of CAM in Arabidopsis. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:101. [PMID: 30804970 PMCID: PMC6378705 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a specialized mode of photosynthesis that exploits a temporal CO2 pump with nocturnal CO2 uptake and concentration to reduce photorespiration, improve water-use efficiency (WUE), and optimize the adaptability of plants to hotter and drier climates. Introducing the CAM photosynthetic machinery into C3 (or C4) photosynthesis plants (CAM Biodesign) represents a potentially breakthrough strategy for improving WUE while maintaining high productivity. To optimize the success of CAM Biodesign approaches, the functional analysis of individual C4 metabolism cycle genes is necessary to identify the essential genes for robust CAM pathway introduction. Here, we isolated and analyzed the subcellular localizations of 13 enzymes and regulatory proteins of the C4 metabolism cycle of CAM from the common ice plant in stably transformed Arabidopsis thaliana. Six components of the carboxylation module were analyzed including beta-carbonic anhydrase (McBCA2), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (McPEPC1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase (McPPCK1), NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase (McNAD-MDH1, McNAD-MDH2), and NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase (McNADP-MDH1). In addition, seven components of the decarboxylation module were analyzed including NAD-dependent malic enzyme (McNAD-ME1, McNAD-ME2), NADP-dependent malic enzyme (McNADP-ME1, NADP-ME2), pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (McPPDK), pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase-regulatory protein (McPPDK-RP), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (McPEPCK). Ectopic overexpression of most C4-metabolism cycle components resulted in increased rosette diameter, leaf area, and leaf fresh weight of A. thaliana except for McNADP-MDH1, McPPDK-RP, and McPEPCK. Overexpression of most carboxylation module components resulted in increased stomatal conductance and dawn/dusk titratable acidity (TA) as an indirect measure of organic acid (mainly malate) accumulation in A. thaliana. In contrast, overexpression of the decarboxylating malic enzymes reduced stomatal conductance and TA. This comprehensive study provides fundamental insights into the relative functional contributions of each of the individual components of the core C4-metabolism cycle of CAM and represents a critical first step in laying the foundation for CAM Biodesign.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - John C. Cushman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
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Nowicka B, Ciura J, Szymańska R, Kruk J. Improving photosynthesis, plant productivity and abiotic stress tolerance - current trends and future perspectives. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 231:415-433. [PMID: 30412849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
With unfavourable climate changes and an increasing global population, there is a great need for more productive and stress-tolerant crops. As traditional methods of crop improvement have probably reached their limits, a further increase in the productivity of crops is expected to be possible using genetic engineering. The number of potential genes and metabolic pathways, which when genetically modified could result in improved photosynthesis and biomass production, is multiple. Photosynthesis, as the only source of carbon required for the growth and development of plants, attracts much attention is this respect, especially the question concerning how to improve CO2 fixation and limit photorespiration. The most promising direction for increasing CO2 assimilation is implementating carbon concentrating mechanisms found in cyanobacteria and algae into crop plants, while hitherto performed experiments on improving the CO2 fixation versus oxygenation reaction catalyzed by Rubisco are less encouraging. On the other hand, introducing the C4 pathway into C3 plants is a very difficult challenge. Among other points of interest for increased biomass production is engineering of metabolic regulation, certain proteins, nucleic acids or phytohormones. In this respect, enhanced sucrose synthesis, assimilate translocation to sink organs and starch synthesis is crucial, as is genetic engineering of the phytohormone metabolism. As abiotic stress tolerance is one of the key factors determining crop productivity, extensive studies are being undertaken to develop transgenic plants characterized by elevated stress resistance. This can be accomplished due to elevated synthesis of antioxidants, osmoprotectants and protective proteins. Among other promising targets for the genetic engineering of plants with elevated stress resistance are transcription factors that play a key role in abiotic stress responses of plants. In this review, most of the approaches to improving the productivity of plants that are potentially promising and have already been undertaken are described. In addition to this, the limitations faced, potential challenges and possibilities regarding future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrycze Nowicka
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Joanna Ciura
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Renata Szymańska
- Department of Medical Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Reymonta 19, 30-059 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Jerzy Kruk
- Department of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
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Ewe D, Tachibana M, Kikutani S, Gruber A, Río Bártulos C, Konert G, Kaplan A, Matsuda Y, Kroth PG. The intracellular distribution of inorganic carbon fixing enzymes does not support the presence of a C4 pathway in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2018; 137:263-280. [PMID: 29572588 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-018-0500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Diatoms are unicellular algae and important primary producers. The process of carbon fixation in diatoms is very efficient even though the availability of dissolved CO2 in sea water is very low. The operation of a carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) also makes the more abundant bicarbonate accessible for photosynthetic carbon fixation. Diatoms possess carbonic anhydrases as well as metabolic enzymes potentially involved in C4 pathways; however, the question as to whether a C4 pathway plays a general role in diatoms is not yet solved. While genome analyses indicate that the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum possesses all the enzymes required to operate a C4 pathway, silencing of the pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) in a genetically transformed cell line does not lead to reduced photosynthetic carbon fixation. In this study, we have determined the intracellular location of all enzymes potentially involved in C4-like carbon fixing pathways in P. tricornutum by expression of the respective proteins fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), followed by fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, we compared the results to known pathways and locations of enzymes in higher plants performing C3 or C4 photosynthesis. This approach revealed that the intracellular distribution of the investigated enzymes is quite different from the one observed in higher plants. In particular, the apparent lack of a plastidic decarboxylase in P. tricornutum indicates that this diatom does not perform a C4-like CCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ewe
- Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany.
- Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic.
| | - Masaaki Tachibana
- Department of Bioscience, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo, 669-1337, Japan
- Lion Corporation Pharmaceutical Laboratories No.1, Odawara, Kanagawa, 256-0811, Japan
| | - Sae Kikutani
- Department of Bioscience, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo, 669-1337, Japan
- Tech Manage Corp., Tokyo, 160-0023, Japan
| | - Ansgar Gruber
- Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Grzegorz Konert
- Centre Algatech, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Třeboň, Czech Republic
| | - Aaron Kaplan
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus-Givat Ram, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yusuke Matsuda
- Department of Bioscience, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Sanda, Hyogo, 669-1337, Japan
| | - Peter G Kroth
- Fachbereich Biologie, Universität Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
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Guo Y, Song Y, Zheng H, Zhang Y, Guo J, Sui N. NADP-Malate Dehydrogenase of Sweet Sorghum Improves Salt Tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2018; 66:5992-6002. [PMID: 29847118 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b02159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Sweet sorghum is a C4 crop that shows high salt tolerance and high yield. NADP-malate dehydrogenase ( NADP-ME) is a crucial enzyme of the C4 pathway. The regulatory mechanism of NADP-ME remains unclear. In this study, we isolated SbNADP-ME from sweet sorghum. The open reading frame of SbNADP-ME is 1911 bp and 637 amino acid residues. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that SbNADP-ME transcription in sweet sorghum was enhanced by salt stress. The SbNADP-ME transcript level was highest under exposure to 150 mM NaCl. Arabidopsis overexpressing SbNADP-ME showed increased germination rate and root length under NaCl treatments. At the seedling stage, physiological photosynthesis parameters, chlorophyll content, PSII photochemical efficiency, and PSI oxidoreductive activity in the wild type decreased more severely than in the overexpression lines but less than in T-DNA insertion mutants under salt stress. Overexpression of SbNADP-ME in Arabidopsis may also increase osmotic adjustment and scavenging activity on DPPH and decrease membrane peroxidation. These results suggest that SbNADP-ME overexpression in Arabidopsis increases salt tolerance and alleviates PSII and PSI photoinhibition under salt stress by improving photosynthetic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Guo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Science , Shandong Normal University , Jinan 250014 , China
| | - Yushuang Song
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Science , Shandong Normal University , Jinan 250014 , China
| | - Hongxiang Zheng
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Science , Shandong Normal University , Jinan 250014 , China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Science , Shandong Normal University , Jinan 250014 , China
| | - Jianrong Guo
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Science , Shandong Normal University , Jinan 250014 , China
| | - Na Sui
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Stress, College of Life Science , Shandong Normal University , Jinan 250014 , China
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Qi X, Xu W, Zhang J, Guo R, Zhao M, Hu L, Wang H, Dong H, Li Y. Physiological characteristics and metabolomics of transgenic wheat containing the maize C 4 phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) gene under high temperature stress. PROTOPLASMA 2017; 254:1017-1030. [PMID: 27491550 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-016-1010-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, two transgenic wheat lines, PC27 and PC51, containing the maize PEPC gene and its wild-type (WT) were used as experimental material to study the effects of high temperature on their photosynthetic physiological characteristics and metabolome. The results showed that transgenic wheat lines had higher photosynthetic rate (P n) than WT under non-stress treatment (NT) and high temperature stress treatment (HT), and more significantly under HT. The change trends of F v/F m, Ф PSII, and q P were similar to P n, whereas that of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was the opposite. Compared with WT, no differences in chlorophyll content between the transgenic wheat and WT were observed under NT, but two transgenic lines had relatively higher contents than WT under HT. The change trends of Chlorophyll a/b radio, the decreased values of F m, Wk, and Vj, and the activity of the antioxidant enzyme were consistent with the chlorophyll content. Compared with WT, transgenic wheat lines exhibited lower rate of superoxide anion production, H2O2 and malondialdehyde content under HT, and no significant differences were observed under NT. The expression pattern of the ZmPEPC gene and wheat endogenous photosynthesis-related genes were in agreement with that of P n. Compared with WT, about 13 different metabolites including one organic acid, six amino acids, four sugars, and two polyols were identified under NT; 25 different metabolites including six organic acids, 12 amino acids, four sugars, and three polyols were identified under HT. Collectively, our results indicate that ZmPEPC gene can enhance photochemical and antioxidant enzyme activity, upregulate the expression of photosynthesis-related genes, delay degradation of chlorophyll, change contents of proline and other metabolites in wheat, and ultimately improves its heat tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueli Qi
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Weigang Xu
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China.
| | - Jianzhou Zhang
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Mingzhong Zhao
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Lin Hu
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Huiwei Wang
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Haibin Dong
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
| | - Yan Li
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450002, China
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Qin N, Xu W, Hu L, Li Y, Wang H, Qi X, Fang Y, Hua X. Drought tolerance and proteomics studies of transgenic wheat containing the maize C 4 phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) gene. PROTOPLASMA 2016; 253:1503-1512. [PMID: 26560113 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-015-0906-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Enhancing drought tolerance of crops has been a great challenge in crop improvement. Here, we report the maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) gene was able to confer drought tolerance and increase grain yield in transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants. The improved of drought tolerance was associated with higher levels of proline, soluble sugar, soluble protein, and higher water use efficiency. The transgenic wheat plants had also a more extensive root system as well as increased photosynthetic capacity during stress treatments. The increased grain yield of the transgenic wheat was contributed by improved biomass, larger spike and grain numbers, and heavier 1000-grain weight under drought-stress conditions. Under non-stressed conditions, there were no significant increases in these of the measured traits except for photosynthetic rate when compared with parental wheat. Proteomic research showed that the expression levels of some proteins, including chlorophyll A-B binding protein and pyruvate, phosphate dikinase, which are related to photosynthesis, PAP fibrillin, which is involved in cytoskeleton synthesis, S-adenosylmethionine synthetase, which catalyzes methionine synthesis, were induced in the transgenic wheat under drought stress. Additionally, the expression of glutamine synthetase, which is involved in ammonia assimilation, was induced by drought stress in the wheat. Our study shows that PEPC can improve both stress tolerance and grain yield in wheat, demonstrating the efficacy of PEPC in crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Qin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, 210095, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weigang Xu
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Lin Hu
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Huiwei Wang
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xueli Qi
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yuhui Fang
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xia Hua
- Wheat Research Institute, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 450002, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Schuler ML, Mantegazza O, Weber APM. Engineering C4 photosynthesis into C3 chassis in the synthetic biology age. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 87:51-65. [PMID: 26945781 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
C4 photosynthetic plants outperform C3 plants in hot and arid climates. By concentrating carbon dioxide around Rubisco C4 plants drastically reduce photorespiration. The frequency with which plants evolved C4 photosynthesis independently challenges researchers to unravel the genetic mechanisms underlying this convergent evolutionary switch. The conversion of C3 crops, such as rice, towards C4 photosynthesis is a long-standing goal. Nevertheless, at the present time, in the age of synthetic biology, this still remains a monumental task, partially because the C4 carbon-concentrating biochemical cycle spans two cell types and thus requires specialized anatomy. Here we review the advances in understanding the molecular basis and the evolution of the C4 trait, advances in the last decades that were driven by systems biology methods. In this review we emphasise essential genetic engineering tools needed to translate our theoretical knowledge into engineering approaches. With our current molecular understanding of the biochemical C4 pathway, we propose a simplified rational engineering model exclusively built with known C4 metabolic components. Moreover, we discuss an alternative approach to the progressing international engineering attempts that would combine targeted mutagenesis and directed evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara L Schuler
- Institute for Plant Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Science (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Otho Mantegazza
- Institute for Plant Biochemistry, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Science (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas P M Weber
- Institute for Plant Biochemistry, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Science (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Bräutigam A, Gowik U. Photorespiration connects C 3and C 4photosynthesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2016; 67:2953-62. [PMID: 26912798 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erw056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
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22
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Isotopically nonstationary 13C flux analysis of changes in Arabidopsis thaliana leaf metabolism due to high light acclimation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:16967-72. [PMID: 25368168 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1319485111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving plant productivity is an important aim for metabolic engineering. There are few comprehensive methods that quantitatively describe leaf metabolism, although such information would be valuable for increasing photosynthetic capacity, enhancing biomass production, and rerouting carbon flux toward desirable end products. Isotopically nonstationary metabolic flux analysis (INST-MFA) has been previously applied to map carbon fluxes in photoautotrophic bacteria, which involves model-based regression of transient (13)C-labeling patterns of intracellular metabolites. However, experimental and computational difficulties have hindered its application to terrestrial plant systems. We performed in vivo isotopic labeling of Arabidopsis thaliana rosettes with (13)CO2 and estimated fluxes throughout leaf photosynthetic metabolism by INST-MFA. Plants grown at 200 µmol m(-2)s(-1) light were compared with plants acclimated for 9 d at an irradiance of 500 µmol⋅m(-2)⋅s(-1). Approximately 1,400 independent mass isotopomer measurements obtained from analysis of 37 metabolite fragment ions were regressed to estimate 136 total fluxes (54 free fluxes) under each condition. The results provide a comprehensive description of changes in carbon partitioning and overall photosynthetic flux after long-term developmental acclimation of leaves to high light. Despite a doubling in the carboxylation rate, the photorespiratory flux increased from 17 to 28% of net CO2 assimilation with high-light acclimation (Vc/Vo: 3.5:1 vs. 2.3:1, respectively). This study highlights the potential of (13)C INST-MFA to describe emergent flux phenotypes that respond to environmental conditions or plant physiology and cannot be obtained by other complementary approaches.
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Singh HP, Singh BP. Genetic Engineering of Field, Industrial and Pharmaceutical Crops. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2014.526416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Gu JF, Qiu M, Yang JC. Enhanced tolerance to drought in transgenic rice plants overexpressing C4 photosynthesis enzymes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cj.2013.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Saigo M, Tronconi MA, Gerrard Wheeler MC, Alvarez CE, Drincovich MF, Andreo CS. Biochemical approaches to C4 photosynthesis evolution studies: the case of malic enzymes decarboxylases. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2013; 117:177-187. [PMID: 23832612 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-013-9879-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
C4 photosynthesis enables the capture of atmospheric CO2 and its concentration at the site of RuBisCO, thus counteracting the negative effects of low atmospheric levels of CO2 and high atmospheric levels of O2 (21 %) on photosynthesis. The evolution of this complex syndrome was a multistep process. It did not occur by simply recruiting pre-exiting components of the pathway from C3 ancestors which were already optimized for C4 function. Rather it involved modifications in the kinetics and regulatory properties of pre-existing isoforms of non-photosynthetic enzymes in C3 plants. Thus, biochemical studies aimed at elucidating the functional adaptations of these enzymes are central to the development of an integrative view of the C4 mechanism. In the present review, the most important biochemical approaches that we currently use to understand the evolution of the C4 isoforms of malic enzyme are summarized. It is expected that this information will help in the rational design of the best decarboxylation processes to provide CO2 for RuBisCO in engineering C3 species to perform C4 photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Saigo
- Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha, 531, Rosario, Argentina
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Peterhansel C, Krause K, Braun HP, Espie GS, Fernie AR, Hanson DT, Keech O, Maurino VG, Mielewczik M, Sage RF. Engineering photorespiration: current state and future possibilities. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2013; 15:754-758. [PMID: 23121076 DOI: 10.1111/j.1438-8677.2012.00681.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Reduction of flux through photorespiration has been viewed as a major way to improve crop carbon fixation and yield since the energy-consuming reactions associated with this pathway were discovered. This view has been supported by the biomasses increases observed in model species that expressed artificial bypass reactions to photorespiration. Here, we present an overview about the major current attempts to reduce photorespiratory losses in crop species and provide suggestions for future research priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Peterhansel
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Hannover, Germany.
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Petolino JF, Davies JP. Designed transcriptional regulators for trait development. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2013; 201-202:128-36. [PMID: 23352411 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2012.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2012] [Revised: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Development is largely controlled by proteins that regulate gene expression at the level of transcription. These regulatory proteins, the genes that control them, and the genes that they control, are organized in a hierarchical structure of complex interactions. Altering the expression of genes encoding regulatory proteins controlling critical nodes in this hierarchy has potential for dramatic phenotypic modification. Constitutive over-expression of genes encoding regulatory proteins in transgenic plants has resulted in agronomically interesting phenotypes along with developmental abnormalities. For trait development, the magnitude and timing of expression of genes encoding key regulatory proteins will need to be precisely controlled and targeted to specific cells and tissues at certain developmental timepoints. Such control is made possible by designed transcriptional regulators which are fusions of engineered DNA binding proteins and activator or repressor domains. Expression of genes encoding such designed transcriptional regulators enable the selective modulation of endogenous gene expression. Genes encoding proteins controlling regulatory networks are prime targets for up- or down-regulation via such designed transcriptional regulators.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Physiological
- Crops, Agricultural/genetics
- Crops, Agricultural/metabolism
- Crops, Agricultural/physiology
- DNA, Plant/genetics
- DNA, Plant/metabolism
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Droughts
- Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
- Genes, Plant
- Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics
- Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism
- Plants, Genetically Modified/physiology
- Protein Interaction Mapping
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Temperature
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcriptional Activation
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Leegood RC. Strategies for engineering C(4) photosynthesis. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2013; 170:378-388. [PMID: 23245935 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
C(3) photosynthesis is an inefficient process, because the enzyme that lies at the heart of the Benson-Calvin cycle, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) is itself a very inefficient enzyme. The oxygenase activity of Rubisco is an unavoidable side reaction that is a consequence of its reaction mechanism. The product of oxygenation, glycollate 2-P, has to be retrieved by photorespiration, a process which results in the loss of a quarter of the carbon that was originally present in glycollate 2-P. Photorespiration therefore reduces carbon gain. Purely in terms of carbon economy, there is, therefore, a strong selection pressure on plants to reduce the rate of photorespiration so as to increase carbon gain, but it also improves water- and nitrogen-use efficiency. Possibilities for the manipulation of plants to decrease the amount of photorespiration include the introduction of improved Rubisco from other species, reconfiguring photorespiration, or introducing carbon-concentrating mechanisms, such as inorganic carbon transporters, carboxysomes or pyrenoids, or engineering a full C(4) Kranz pathway using the existing evolutionary progression in C(3)-C(4) intermediates as a blueprint. Possible routes and progress to suppressing photorespiration by introducing C(4) photosynthesis in C(3) crop plants will be discussed, including whether single cell C(4) photosynthesis is feasible, how the evolution of C(3)-C(4) intermediates can be used as a blueprint for engineering C(4) photosynthesis, which pathway for the C(4) cycle might be introduced and the extent to which processes and structures in C(3) plant might require optimisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C Leegood
- Robert Hill Institute and Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
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McAllister CH, Beatty PH, Good AG. Engineering nitrogen use efficient crop plants: the current status. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2012; 10:1011-25. [PMID: 22607381 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7652.2012.00700.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In the last 40 years the amount of synthetic nitrogen (N) applied to crops has risen drastically, resulting in significant increases in yield but with considerable impacts on the environment. A requirement for crops that require decreased N fertilizer levels has been recognized in the call for a 'Second Green Revolution' and research in the field of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has continued to grow. This has prompted a search to identify genes that improve the NUE of crop plants, with candidate NUE genes existing in pathways relating to N uptake, assimilation, amino acid biosynthesis, C/N storage and metabolism, signalling and regulation of N metabolism and translocation, remobilization and senescence. Herein is a review of the approaches taken to determine possible NUE candidate genes, an overview of experimental study of these genes as effectors of NUE in both cereal and non-cereal plants and the processes of commercialization of enhanced NUE crop plants. Patents issued regarding increased NUE in plants as well as gene pyramiding studies are also discussed as well as future directions of NUE research.
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Carvalho JDFC, Madgwick PJ, Powers SJ, Keys AJ, Lea PJ, Parry MAJ. An engineered pathway for glyoxylate metabolism in tobacco plants aimed to avoid the release of ammonia in photorespiration. BMC Biotechnol 2011; 11:111. [PMID: 22104170 PMCID: PMC3252329 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-11-111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The photorespiratory nitrogen cycle in C₃ plants involves an extensive diversion of carbon and nitrogen away from the direct pathways of assimilation. The liberated ammonia is re-assimilated, but up to 25% of the carbon may be released into the atmosphere as CO₂. Because of the loss of CO₂ and high energy costs, there has been considerable interest in attempts to decrease the flux through the cycle in C₃ plants. Transgenic tobacco plants were generated that contained the genes gcl and hyi from E. coli encoding glyoxylate carboligase (EC 4.1.1.47) and hydroxypyruvate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.22) respectively, targeted to the peroxisomes. It was presumed that the two enzymes could work together and compete with the aminotransferases that convert glyoxylate to glycine, thus avoiding ammonia production in the photorespiratory nitrogen cycle. RESULTS When grown in ambient air, but not in elevated CO₂, the transgenic tobacco lines had a distinctive phenotype of necrotic lesions on the leaves. Three of the six lines chosen for a detailed study contained single copies of the gcl gene, two contained single copies of both the gcl and hyi genes and one line contained multiple copies of both gcl and hyi genes. The gcl protein was detected in the five transgenic lines containing single copies of the gcl gene but hyi protein was not detected in any of the transgenic lines. The content of soluble amino acids including glycine and serine, was generally increased in the transgenic lines growing in air, when compared to the wild type. The content of soluble sugars, glucose, fructose and sucrose in the shoot was decreased in transgenic lines growing in air, consistent with decreased carbon assimilation. CONCLUSIONS Tobacco plants have been generated that produce bacterial glyoxylate carboligase but not hydroxypyruvate isomerase. The transgenic plants exhibit a stress response when exposed to air, suggesting that some glyoxylate is diverted away from conversion to glycine in a deleterious short-circuit of the photorespiratory nitrogen cycle. This diversion in metabolism gave rise to increased concentrations of amino acids, in particular glutamine and asparagine in the leaves and a decrease of soluble sugars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josirley de FC Carvalho
- Embrapa Soybean, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, Rodovia Carlos Strass, Distrito da Warta; C.P.: 6001; 86001-970; Londrina - PR - Brasil
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2 JQ, UK
| | | | | | - Alfred J Keys
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2 JQ, UK
| | - Peter J Lea
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Biological Sciences, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
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Reguera M, Peleg Z, Blumwald E. Targeting metabolic pathways for genetic engineering abiotic stress-tolerance in crops. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2011; 1819:186-94. [PMID: 21867784 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2011.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2011] [Revised: 08/03/2011] [Accepted: 08/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abiotic stress conditions are the major limitations in modern agriculture. Although many genes associated with plant response(s) to abiotic stresses have been indentified and used to generate stress tolerant plants, the success in producing stress-tolerant crops is limited. New technologies are providing opportunities to generate stress tolerant crops. Biotechnological approaches that emphasize the development of transgenic crops under conditions that mimic the field situation and focus on the plant reproductive stage will significantly improve the opportunities of producing stress tolerant crops. Here, we highlight recent advances and discuss the limitations that hinder the fast integration of transgenic crops into agriculture and suggest possible research directions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant gene regulation in response to abiotic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Reguera
- Department of Plant Sci.s, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Ruan CJ, Shao HB, Teixeira da Silva JA. A critical review on the improvement of photosynthetic carbon assimilation in C3 plants using genetic engineering. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2011; 32:1-21. [PMID: 21699437 DOI: 10.3109/07388551.2010.533119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing us today. It may be linked to the increase in atmospheric CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs), leading to a rise in sea level, notable shifts in ecosystems, and in the frequency and intensity of wild fires. There is a strong interest in stabilizing the atmospheric concentration of CO2 and other GHGs by decreasing carbon emission and/or increasing carbon sequestration. Biotic sequestration is an important and effective strategy to mitigate the effects of rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations by increasing carbon sequestration and storage capacity of ecosystems using plant photosynthesis and by decreasing carbon emission using biofuel rather than fossil fuel. Improvement of photosynthetic carbon assimilation, using transgenic engineering, potentially provides a set of available and effective tools for enhancing plant carbon sequestration. In this review, firstly different biological methods of CO2 assimilation in C3, C4 and CAM plants are introduced and three types of C4 pathways which have high photosynthetic performance and have evolved as CO2 pumps are briefly summarized. Then (i) the improvement of photosynthetic carbon assimilation of C3 plants by transgenic engineering using non-C4 genes, and (ii) the overexpression of individual or multiple C4 cycle photosynthetic genes (PEPC, PPDK, PCK, NADP-ME and NADP-MDH) in transgenic C3 plants (e.g. tobacco, potato, rice and Arabidopsis) are highlighted. Some transgenic C3 plants (e.g. tobacco, rice and Arabidopsis) overexpressing the FBP/SBPase, ictB and cytochrome c6 genes showed positive effects on photosynthetic efficiency and growth characteristics. However, over the last 28 years, efforts to overexpress individual, double or multiple C4 enzymes in C3 plants like tobacco, potato, rice, and Arabidopsis have produced mixed results that do not confirm or eliminate the possibility of improving photosynthesis of C3 plants by this approach. Finally, a prospect is provided on the challenges of enhancing carbon assimilation of C3 plants using transgenic engineering in the face of global warming, and the trends of the most promising approaches to improving the photosynthetic performance of C3 plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Jiang Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology & Bio-Resources Utilization, Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian City, Liaoning, China.
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Miyao M, Masumoto C, Miyazawa SI, Fukayama H. Lessons from engineering a single-cell C(4) photosynthetic pathway into rice. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2011; 62:3021-9. [PMID: 21459764 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The transfer of C(4) plant traits into C(3) plants has long been a strategy for improving the photosynthetic performance of C(3) plants. The introduction of a pathway mimicking the C(4) photosynthetic pathway into the mesophyll cells of C(3) plants was only a realistic approach when transgenic technology was sufficiently well developed and widely adopted. Here an attempt to introduce a single-cell C(4)-like pathway in which CO(2) capture and release occur in the mesophyll cell, such as the one found in the aquatic plant Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, into rice (Oryza sativa L.) is described. Four enzymes involved in this pathway were successfully overproduced in the transgenic rice leaves, and 12 different sets of transgenic rice that overproduce these enzymes independently or in combination were produced and analysed. Although none of these transformants has yet shown dramatic improvements in photosynthesis, these studies nonetheless have important implications for the evolution of C(4) photosynthetic genes and their metabolic regulation, and have shed light on the unique aspects of rice physiology and metabolism. This article summarizes the lessons learned during these attempts to engineer single-cell C(4) rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsue Miyao
- Photobiology and Photosynthesis Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Kannondai, Tsukuba 305-8602, Japan.
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Kajala K, Covshoff S, Karki S, Woodfield H, Tolley BJ, Dionora MJA, Mogul RT, Mabilangan AE, Danila FR, Hibberd JM, Quick WP. Strategies for engineering a two-celled C(4) photosynthetic pathway into rice. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2011; 62:3001-10. [PMID: 21335436 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Every day almost one billion people suffer from chronic hunger, and the situation is expected to deteriorate with a projected population growth to 9 billion worldwide by 2050. In order to provide adequate nutrition into the future, rice yields in Asia need to increase by 60%, a change that may be achieved by introduction of the C(4) photosynthetic cycle into rice. The international C(4) Rice Consortium was founded in order to test the feasibility of installing the C(4) engine into rice. This review provides an update on two of the many approaches employed by the C(4) Rice Consortium: namely, metabolic C(4) engineering and identification of determinants of leaf anatomy by mutant screens. The aim of the metabolic C(4) engineering approach is to generate a two-celled C(4) shuttle in rice by expressing the classical enzymes of the NADP-ME C(4) cycle in a cell-appropriate manner. The aim is also to restrict RuBisCO and glycine decarboxylase expression to the bundle sheath (BS) cells of rice in a C(4)-like fashion by specifically down-regulating their expression in rice mesophyll (M) cells. In addition to the changes in biochemistry, two-celled C(4) species show a convergence in leaf anatomy that include increased vein density and reduced numbers of M cells between veins. By screening rice activation-tagged lines and loss-of-function sorghum mutants we endeavour to identify genes controlling these key traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Kajala
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge CB2 3EA, Cambridge, UK
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Peterhansel C. Best practice procedures for the establishment of a C(4) cycle in transgenic C(3) plants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2011; 62:3011-3019. [PMID: 21335437 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
C(4) plants established a mechanism for the concentration of CO(2) in the vicinity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase in order to saturate the enzyme with substrate and substantially to reduce the alternative fixation of O(2) that results in energy losses. Transfer of the C(4) mechanism to C(3) plants has been repeatedly tested, but none of the approaches so far resulted in transgenic plants with enhanced photosynthesis or growth. Instead, often deleterious effects were observed. A true C(4) cycle requires the co-ordinated activity of multiple enzymes in different cell types and in response to diverse environmental and metabolic stimuli. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the most appropriate regulatory elements and coding sequences for the establishment of C(4) protein activities in C(3) plants. In addition, technological breakthroughs for the efficient transfer of the numerous genes probably required to transform a C(3) plant into a C(4) plant will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Peterhansel
- Institute of Botany, Leibniz University Hannover, Herrenhaeuser Straße 2, D-30419 Hannover, Germany.
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The remarkable diversity of plant PEPC (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase): recent insights into the physiological functions and post-translational controls of non-photosynthetic PEPCs. Biochem J 2011; 436:15-34. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20110078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PEPC [PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate) carboxylase] is a tightly controlled enzyme located at the core of plant C-metabolism that catalyses the irreversible β-carboxylation of PEP to form oxaloacetate and Pi. The critical role of PEPC in assimilating atmospheric CO2 during C4 and Crassulacean acid metabolism photosynthesis has been studied extensively. PEPC also fulfils a broad spectrum of non-photosynthetic functions, particularly the anaplerotic replenishment of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates consumed during biosynthesis and nitrogen assimilation. An impressive array of strategies has evolved to co-ordinate in vivo PEPC activity with cellular demands for C4–C6 carboxylic acids. To achieve its diverse roles and complex regulation, PEPC belongs to a small multigene family encoding several closely related PTPCs (plant-type PEPCs), along with a distantly related BTPC (bacterial-type PEPC). PTPC genes encode ~110-kDa polypeptides containing conserved serine-phosphorylation and lysine-mono-ubiquitination sites, and typically exist as homotetrameric Class-1 PEPCs. In contrast, BTPC genes encode larger ~117-kDa polypeptides owing to a unique intrinsically disordered domain that mediates BTPC's tight interaction with co-expressed PTPC subunits. This association results in the formation of unusual ~900-kDa Class-2 PEPC hetero-octameric complexes that are desensitized to allosteric effectors. BTPC is a catalytic and regulatory subunit of Class-2 PEPC that is subject to multi-site regulatory phosphorylation in vivo. The interaction between divergent PEPC polypeptides within Class-2 PEPCs adds another layer of complexity to the evolution, physiological functions and metabolic control of this essential CO2-fixing plant enzyme. The present review summarizes exciting developments concerning the functions, post-translational controls and subcellular location of plant PTPC and BTPC isoenzymes.
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Alleviation of Drought Stress Inhibition on Photosynthesis by Over Expression of PEPC Gene in Rice. ZUOWU XUEBAO 2011. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1006.2011.00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Peterhansel C, Horst I, Niessen M, Blume C, Kebeish R, Kürkcüoglu S, Kreuzaler F. Photorespiration. THE ARABIDOPSIS BOOK 2010; 8:e0130. [PMID: 22303256 PMCID: PMC3244903 DOI: 10.1199/tab.0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Photorespiration is initiated by the oxygenase activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate-carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO), the same enzyme that is also responsible for CO(2) fixation in almost all photosynthetic organisms. Phosphoglycolate formed by oxygen fixation is recycled to the Calvin cycle intermediate phosphoglycerate in the photorespiratory pathway. This reaction cascade consumes energy and reducing equivalents and part of the afore fixed carbon is again released as CO(2). Because of this, photorespiration was often viewed as a wasteful process. Here, we review the current knowledge on the components of the photorespiratory pathway that has been mainly achieved through genetic and biochemical studies in Arabidopsis. Based on this knowledge, the energy costs of photorespiration are calculated, but the numerous positive aspects that challenge the traditional view of photorespiration as a wasteful pathway are also discussed. An outline of possible alternative pathways beside the major pathway is provided. We summarize recent results about photorespiration in photosynthetic organisms expressing a carbon concentrating mechanism and the implications of these results for understanding Arabidopsis photorespiration. Finally, metabolic engineering approaches aiming to improve plant productivity by reducing photorespiratory losses are evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Peterhansel
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhaeuser Strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ina Horst
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhaeuser Strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Niessen
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhaeuser Strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Blume
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhaeuser Strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Rashad Kebeish
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhaeuser Strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sophia Kürkcüoglu
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Botany, Herrenhaeuser Strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany
| | - Fritz Kreuzaler
- RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Botany, Worringer Weg 1, 52056 Aachen, Germany
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Dharmarajan L, Kraszewski JL, Mukhopadhyay B, Dunten PW. Expression, purification and crystallization of an archaeal-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2009; 65:1193-6. [PMID: 19923749 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309109042663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2009] [Accepted: 10/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
An archaeal-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PepcA) from Clostridium perfringens has been expressed in Escherichia coli in a soluble form with an amino-terminal His tag. The recombinant protein is enzymatically active and two crystal forms have been obtained. Complete diffraction data extending to 3.13 angstrom resolution have been measured from a crystal soaked in KAu(CN)(2), using radiation at a wavelength just above the Au L(III) edge. The asymmetric unit contains two tetramers of PepcA.
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Murchie EH, Pinto M, Horton P. Agriculture and the new challenges for photosynthesis research. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2009; 181:532-52. [PMID: 19140947 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2008.02705.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
A rising human population and changing patterns of land use mean that world food production rates will need to be increased by at least 50% by 2050, a massive rise in harvestable yield per hectare of the major crops such as rice (Oryza sativa) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). Combinations of breeding for improved morphology-related traits such as harvest index and increased inputs of water and fertilizer, which have sustained yield increases since the 1960s, will be neither sufficient nor sustainable. An important limiting factor will be the capacity to produce sufficient biomass during favourable growing periods. Here we analyse this problem in the context of increasing the efficiency of conversion of solar energy into biomass, that is, leaf and canopy photosynthesis. Focussing on crops carrying out C3 photosynthesis, we analyse the evidence for 'losses' in the process of conversion of solar energy into crop biomass and we explore novel mechanisms of improving biomass production rates, which have arisen from recent research into the fundamental primary processes of photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. We show that there are several lines of evidence that these processes are not fully optimized for maximum yield. We put forward the hypothesis that the chloroplast itself should be given greater prominence as a sensor, processor and integrator of highly variable environmental signals to allow a more efficient transduction of energy supply into biomass production.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Murchie
- Division of Plant and Crop Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington LE12 5RD, UK.
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Hattori E, Uchida H, Harada N, Ohta M, Tsukada H, Hara Y, Suzuki T. Incorporation and translocation of 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench monitored using a planar positron imaging system. PLANTA 2008; 227:1181-6. [PMID: 18273639 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-008-0701-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2008] [Accepted: 01/22/2008] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
[(18)F]FDG (2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose) was fed to a sorghum plant [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] from the tip of a leaf and its movement was monitored using a planar positron imaging system (PPIS). [(18)F]FDG was uptaken from the leaf tip and it was translocated to the basal part of the shoots from where it moved to the roots, the tillers and the sheaths. Autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of (18)F, [(18)F]FDG and/or its metabolites showed translocation to the roots, tillers, and to the leaves that were younger than the supplied leaf. Strong labelling was observed in the basal part of the shoots, in the sheaths, the youngest leaf and the root tips. Our results indicate that [(18)F]FDG and/or its metabolites were absorbed from the leaf and translocated to the sites where nutrients are required. This strongly suggests that [(18)F]FDG can be utilised as a tracer to study photoassimilate translocation in the living plant. This is the first report on the use of [(18)F]FDG, which is routinely used as a probe for clinical diagnosis, to study source to sink translocation of metabolites in whole plants in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etsuko Hattori
- Bio Research Laboratory, Future Project Division, Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota, Aichi, Japan.
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Danker T, Dreesen B, Offermann S, Horst I, Peterhänsel C. Developmental information but not promoter activity controls the methylation state of histone H3 lysine 4 on two photosynthetic genes in maize. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 53:465-74. [PMID: 18179650 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2007.03352.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated the establishment of histone H3 methylation with respect to environmental and developmental signals for two key genes associated with C4 photosynthesis in maize. Tri-methylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) in roots and leaves was shown to be controlled by autonomous cell-type-specific developmental signals that are independent of illumination and therefore independent of the initiation of transcription. Di- and mono-methylation of H3K4 act antagonistically to this process. The modifications were already established in etiolated seedlings, and remained stable when genes were inactivated by dark treatment or pharmaceutical inhibition of transcription. Constitutive di-methylation of H3K9 was concomitantly detected at specific gene positions. The data support a histone code model whereby cell-type-specific signals induce the formation of a chromatin structure that potentiates gene activation by environmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Danker
- Rheinisch-Westfälische Hochschule Aachen, Biology I, 52056 Aachen, Germany
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Genetic Engineering of Seed Storage Proteins. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1755-0408(07)01005-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
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Engineering Photosynthetic Pathways. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1755-0408(07)01004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
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Kebeish R, Niessen M, Thiruveedhi K, Bari R, Hirsch HJ, Rosenkranz R, Stäbler N, Schönfeld B, Kreuzaler F, Peterhänsel C. Chloroplastic photorespiratory bypass increases photosynthesis and biomass production in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nat Biotechnol 2007; 25:593-9. [PMID: 17435746 DOI: 10.1038/nbt1299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 310] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2007] [Accepted: 03/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We introduced the Escherichia coli glycolate catabolic pathway into Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts to reduce the loss of fixed carbon and nitrogen that occurs in C(3) plants when phosphoglycolate, an inevitable by-product of photosynthesis, is recycled by photorespiration. Using step-wise nuclear transformation with five chloroplast-targeted bacterial genes encoding glycolate dehydrogenase, glyoxylate carboligase and tartronic semialdehyde reductase, we generated plants in which chloroplastic glycolate is converted directly to glycerate. This reduces, but does not eliminate, flux of photorespiratory metabolites through peroxisomes and mitochondria. Transgenic plants grew faster, produced more shoot and root biomass, and contained more soluble sugars, reflecting reduced photorespiration and enhanced photosynthesis that correlated with an increased chloroplastic CO(2) concentration in the vicinity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. These effects are evident after overexpression of the three subunits of glycolate dehydrogenase, but enhanced by introducing the complete bacterial glycolate catabolic pathway. Diverting chloroplastic glycolate from photorespiration may improve the productivity of crops with C(3) photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashad Kebeish
- RWTH Aachen, Institute of Biology I, Worringer Weg 1, 52056 Aachen, Germany
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Zhao C, Zhao B, Ren Y, Tong W, Wang J, Zhao K, Shu S, Xu N, Liu S. Seeking transformation markers: an analysis of differential tissue proteomes on the rice germplasm generated from transformation of Echinochloa crusgalli genomic DNA. J Proteome Res 2007; 6:1354-63. [PMID: 17326673 DOI: 10.1021/pr0605015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The transformation of distally related genomic DNAs into plant was proposed as a novel technique to breed new cultivars. For example, a restorer rice line, RB207, was successfully developed and stabilized through the transformation of genomic DNAs of Echinochloa crusgalli (E. crusgalli) into a rice line, R207. Although the phenotypes of this variant line are apparently different from its receptor, the molecular bases are not elucidated yet. Herein, we have systematically studied the differential proteomes from the tissues of E. crusgalli, R207, and RB207 in an attempt to find an explanation regarding the phenotypic changes of RB207. The 2-DE method was employed to separate the leaf and embryo proteins of these plants followed by protein identification with mass spectrometry. In the leaf, 953 +/- 15, 1084 +/- 11, and 1091 +/- 11 silver-stained spots were detected, whereas in the embryo, 986 +/- 3, 884 +/- 10, and 892 +/- 14 spots were found from E. crusgalli, R207, and RB207, respectively. In comparison to the 2-DE images of the two rice lines, which showed many similarities, the ones of the E. crusgalli and rice were found to be so different that they were incomparable. There were some differentially expressed 2-DE spots between the two rice cultivars, 72 in leaf and 53 in embryo, respectively. The results of protein identification suggested that, regardless of leaves or embryos, none of the E. crusgalli genes were encoded in the new rice cultivar, RB207. The fact that 60% of the differentially expressed spots between R207 and RB207, however, were verified as the proteins involved in metabolism and photosynthesis makes a rather convincing argument that the DNA fragments transferred from E. crusgalli to rice are responsible for exerting the unknown influence to the expression of rice genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caifeng Zhao
- Beijing Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101300, China
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Chastain CJ, Heck JW, Colquhoun TA, Voge DG, Gu XY. Posttranslational regulation of pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase in developing rice (Oryza sativa) seeds. PLANTA 2006; 224:924-34. [PMID: 16596412 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-006-0259-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2006] [Accepted: 02/25/2006] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK; E.C.2.7.9.1) is most well known as a photosynthetic enzyme in C4 plants. The enzyme is also ubiquitous in C3 plant tissues, although a precise non-photosynthetic C3 function(s) is yet to be validated, owing largely to its low abundance in most C3 organs. The single C3 organ type where PPDK is in high abundance, and, therefore, where its function is most amenable to elucidation, are the developing seeds of graminaceous cereals. In this report, we suggest a non-photosynthetic function for C3 PPDK by characterizing its abundance and posttranslational regulation in developing Oryza sativa (rice) seeds. Using primarily an immunoblot-based approach, we show that PPDK is a massively expressed protein during the early syncitial-endosperm/-cellularization stage of seed development. As seed development progresses from this early stage, the enzyme undergoes a rapid, posttranslational down-regulation in activity and amount via regulatory threonyl-phosphorylation (PPDK inactivation) and protein degradation. Immunoblot analysis of separated seed tissue fractions (pericarp, embryo + aleurone, seed embryo) revealed that regulatory phosphorylation of PPDK occurs in the non-green seed embryo and green outer pericarp layer, but not in the endosperm + aleurone layer. The modestly abundant pool of inactive PPDK (phosphorylated + dephosphorylated) that was found to persist in mature rice seeds was shown to remain largely unchanged (inactive) upon seed germination, suggesting that PPDK in rice seeds function in developmental rather than in post-developmental processes. These and related observations lead us to postulate a putative function for the enzyme that aligns its PEP to pyruvate-forming reaction with biosynthetic processes that are specific to early cereal seed development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris J Chastain
- Department of Biosciences, Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Moorhead, MN 56563, USA.
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Matsumura H, Izui K, Mizuguchi K. A novel mechanism of allosteric regulation of archaeal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase: a combined approach to structure-based alignment and model assessment. Protein Eng Des Sel 2006; 19:409-19. [PMID: 16815866 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzl025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) catalyzes the irreversible carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and plays a crucial role in fixing atmospheric CO(2) in C(4) and CAM plants. The enzyme is widespread in plants and bacteria and mostly regulated allosterically by both positive and negative effectors. Archaeal PEPCs (A-PEPCs) have unique characteristics in allosteric regulation and molecular mass, distinct from their bacterial and eukaryote homologues, and their amino acid sequences have become available only recently. In this paper, we generated a structure-based alignment of archaeal, bacterial and eukaryote PEPCs and built comparative models using a combination of fold recognition, sequence and structural analysis tools. Our comparative modeling analysis identified A-PEPC-specific strong interactions between the two loops involved in both allostery and catalysis, which explained why A-PEPC is not influenced by any allosteric activators. We also found that the side-chain located three residues before the C-terminus appears to play a key role in determining the sensitivity to allosteric inhibitors. In addition to these unique features, we revealed how archaeal, bacterial and eukaryote PEPCs would share a common catalytic mechanism and adopt a similar mode of tetramer formation, despite their divergent sequences. Our novel observations will help design more efficient molecules for ecological and industrial use.
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