1
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Furbank R, Kelly S, von Caemmerer S. Photosynthesis and food security: the evolving story of C 4 rice. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2023; 158:121-130. [PMID: 37067631 PMCID: PMC10108777 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-023-01014-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Traditional "Green Revolution" cereal breeding strategies to improve yield are now reaching a plateau in our principal global food crop rice. Photosynthesis has now become a major target of international consortia to increase yield potential. Synthetic biology is being used across multiple large projects to improve photosynthetic efficiency. This review follows the genesis and progress of one of the first of these consortia projects, now in its 13th year; the Bill and Melinda Gates funded C4 Rice Project. This project seeks to install the biochemical and anatomical attributes necessary to support C4 photosynthesis in the C3 crop rice. Here we address the advances made thus far in installing the biochemical pathway and some of the key targets yet to be reached.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Furbank
- Division of Plant Science, Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia.
| | - Steven Kelly
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Susanne von Caemmerer
- Division of Plant Science, Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
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2
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Rosado-Souza L, Yokoyama R, Sonnewald U, Fernie AR. Understanding source-sink interactions: Progress in model plants and translational research to crops. MOLECULAR PLANT 2023; 16:96-121. [PMID: 36447435 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Agriculture is facing a massive increase in demand per hectare as a result of an ever-expanding population and environmental deterioration. While we have learned much about how environmental conditions and diseases impact crop yield, until recently considerably less was known concerning endogenous factors, including within-plant nutrient allocation. In this review, we discuss studies of source-sink interactions covering both fundamental research in model systems under controlled growth conditions and how the findings are being translated to crop plants in the field. In this respect we detail efforts aimed at improving and/or combining C3, C4, and CAM modes of photosynthesis, altering the chloroplastic electron transport chain, modulating photorespiration, adopting bacterial/algal carbon-concentrating mechanisms, and enhancing nitrogen- and water-use efficiencies. Moreover, we discuss how modulating TCA cycle activities and primary metabolism can result in increased rates of photosynthesis and outline the opportunities that evaluating natural variation in photosynthesis may afford. Although source, transport, and sink functions are all covered in this review, we focus on discussing source functions because the majority of research has been conducted in this field. Nevertheless, considerable recent evidence, alongside the evidence from classical studies, demonstrates that both transport and sink functions are also incredibly important determinants of yield. We thus describe recent evidence supporting this notion and suggest that future strategies for yield improvement should focus on combining improvements in each of these steps to approach yield optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laise Rosado-Souza
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| | - Ryo Yokoyama
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Uwe Sonnewald
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Staudtstrasse 5, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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3
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Kumar A, Pandey SS, Kumar D, Tripathi BN. Genetic manipulation of photosynthesis to enhance crop productivity under changing environmental conditions. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2023; 155:1-21. [PMID: 36319887 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-022-00977-w] [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: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Current global agricultural production needs to be increased to feed the unconstrained growing population. The changing climatic condition due to anthropogenic activities also makes the conditions more challenging to meet the required crop productivity in the future. The increase in crop productivity in the post green revolution era most likely became stagnant, or no major enhancement in crop productivity observed. In this review article, we discuss the emerging approaches for the enhancement of crop production along with dealing to the future climate changes like rise in temperature, increase in precipitation and decrease in snow and ice level, etc. At first, we discuss the efforts made for the genetic manipulation of chlorophyll metabolism, antenna engineering, electron transport chain, carbon fixation, and photorespiratory processes to enhance the photosynthesis of plants and to develop tolerance in plants to cope with changing environmental conditions. The application of CRISPR to enhance the crop productivity and develop abiotic stress-tolerant plants to face the current changing climatic conditions is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kumar
- Biotechnology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, India
| | - Shiv Shanker Pandey
- Biotechnology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176061, India.
| | - Dhananjay Kumar
- Laboratory of Algal Biotechnology, Department of Botany and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal, 246 174, India.
| | - Bhumi Nath Tripathi
- Department of Biotechnology, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, 484886, India
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Singh J, Garai S, Das S, Thakur JK, Tripathy BC. Role of C4 photosynthetic enzyme isoforms in C3 plants and their potential applications in improving agronomic traits in crops. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2022; 154:233-258. [PMID: 36309625 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-022-00978-9] [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: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As compared to C3, C4 plants have higher photosynthetic rates and better tolerance to high temperature and drought. These traits are highly beneficial in the current scenario of global warming. Interestingly, all the genes of the C4 photosynthetic pathway are present in C3 plants, although they are involved in diverse non-photosynthetic functions. Non-photosynthetic isoforms of carbonic anhydrase (CA), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), the decarboxylating enzymes NAD/NADP-malic enzyme (NAD/NADP-ME), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and finally pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) catalyze reactions that are essential for major plant metabolism pathways, such as the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, maintenance of cellular pH, uptake of nutrients and their assimilation. Consistent with this view differential expression pattern of these non-photosynthetic C3 isoforms has been observed in different tissues across the plant developmental stages, such as germination, grain filling, and leaf senescence. Also abundance of these C3 isoforms is increased considerably in response to environmental fluctuations particularly during abiotic stress. Here we review the vital roles played by C3 isoforms of C4 enzymes and the probable mechanisms by which they help plants in acclimation to adverse growth conditions. Further, their potential applications to increase the agronomic trait value of C3 crops is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender Singh
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Sampurna Garai
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Shubhashis Das
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar Thakur
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, 110067, India.
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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5
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Pradhan B, Panda D, Bishi SK, Chakraborty K, Muthusamy SK, Lenka SK. Progress and prospects of C 4 trait engineering in plants. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2022; 24:920-931. [PMID: 35727191 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13446] [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: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Incorporating C4 photosynthetic traits into C3 crops is a rational approach for sustaining future demands for crop productivity. Using classical plant breeding, engineering this complex trait is unlikely to achieve its target. Therefore, it is critical and timely to implement novel biotechnological crop improvement strategies to accomplish this goal. However, a fundamental understanding of C3 , C4 , and C3 -C4 intermediate metabolism is crucial for the targeted use of biotechnological tools. This review assesses recent progress towards engineering C4 photosynthetic traits in C3 crops. We also discuss lessons learned from successes and failures of recent genetic engineering attempts in C3 crops, highlighting the pros and cons of using rice as a model plant for short-, medium- and long-term goals of genetic engineering. This review provides an integrated approach towards engineering improved photosynthetic efficiency in C3 crops for sustaining food, fibre and fuel production around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Pradhan
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty Centre for Integrated Rural Development and Management, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - D Panda
- Department of Biodiversity & Conservation of Natural Resources, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, India
| | - S K Bishi
- School of Genomics and Molecular Breeding, ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi, India
| | - K Chakraborty
- Department of Plant Physiology, ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, India
| | - S K Muthusamy
- Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - S K Lenka
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Gujarat Biotechnology University, Gujarat, India
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Shojaee S, Ravash R, Shiran B, Ebrahimie E. Meta-analysis highlights the key drought responsive genes in genes: PEPC and TaSAG7 are hubs response networks. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2022; 20:127. [PMID: 36053361 PMCID: PMC9468207 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-022-00395-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Wheat is the most important cereal. One of the environmental stresses is drought that harm the production of many cereals and every year due to low rainfall and frequent droughts, the need to produce plants resistant to this stress is felt. Therefore, identification and evaluation of the genes involved in the production of this resistance in plants are of great importance. By identifying these genes and changing their expression, it is possible to produce resistant plants that can tolerate dehydration and drought, with at least a qualitative and quantitative reduction in yield. Results Based on the meta-analysis results obtained in this study, in resistant cultivars ~ 4% (2394/61290) of the probe IDs decreased and ~ 4.5% (2670/61290) increased expression, furthermore in susceptible cultivars ~ 7% (4183/61290) of probe IDs decreased and ~ 6% (3591/61290) increased expression (P value ≤ 0.05). List of up- and downregulated genes was revealed, among the expressed genes of transcription factors Myb3, ethylene-responsive 5a, MIKC-type MADS-box WM24B, and salinity inducible ERF4 in resistant cultivars and transcription factors WRKY15, MADS-box TaAGL8, WRKY39, and Myb in susceptible cultivars, they showed a significant increase in expression, these transcription factors are of great importance in drought stress. Among them, ethylene responsive 5a in resistant cultivars by 3 times and Myb in susceptible cultivars by 2.6 times have shown the highest expression change. Using Cytoscape Hub software, the Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and lyase isocitrate (TaSAG7) genes, which have significantly different expressions in resistant and susceptible wheat cultivars. PEPC and TaSAG7 genes were upregulated in resistant wheat cultivars as well as down regulated in susceptible cultivars. Also, the qPCR results of selected genes were consistent with the outcomes of the meta-analysis. Conclusions All microarray data were collected from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus site. Libraries with drought-tolerant and susceptible cultivars for wheat were considered under the stress and control conditions from whole leaf tissue. By meta-analysis combined the purposeful results of multiple experiments, and found list of genes expressed in reverse between the two cultivars. These genes can distinguish between different susceptible and resistant wheat cultivars. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43141-022-00395-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Shojaee
- Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, Shahrekord University, Shahr-e Kord, Iran
| | - Rudabeh Ravash
- Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahr-e Kord, Iran.
| | - Behrouz Shiran
- Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahr-e Kord, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Ebrahimie
- Genomics Research Platform, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, Melbourne, La Trobe University, Victoria, 3086, Australia.,Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5371, Australia
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7
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Kandoi D, Ruhil K, Govindjee G, Tripathy BC. Overexpression of cytoplasmic C 4 Flaveria bidentis carbonic anhydrase in C 3 Arabidopsis thaliana increases amino acids, photosynthetic potential, and biomass. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:1518-1532. [PMID: 35467074 PMCID: PMC9342616 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
An important method to improve photosynthesis in C3 crops, such as rice and wheat, is to transfer efficient C4 characters to them. Here, cytosolic carbonic anhydrase (CA: βCA3) of the C4 Flaveria bidentis (Fb) was overexpressed under the control of 35 S promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana, a C3 plant, to enhance its photosynthetic efficiency. Overexpression of CA resulted in a better supply of the substrate HCO3- for the endogenous phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in the cytosol of the overexpressers, and increased its activity for generating malate that feeds into the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This provided additional carbon skeleton for increased synthesis of amino acids aspartate, asparagine, glutamate, and glutamine. Increased amino acids contributed to higher protein content in the transgenics. Furthermore, expression of FbβCA3 in Arabidopsis led to a better growth due to expression of several genes leading to higher chlorophyll content, electron transport, and photosynthetic carbon assimilation in the transformants. Enhanced CO2 assimilation resulted in increased sugar and starch content, and plant dry weight. In addition, transgenic plants had lower stomatal conductance, reduced transpiration rate, and higher water-use efficiency. These results, taken together, show that expression of C4 CA in the cytosol of a C3 plant can indeed improve its photosynthetic capacity with enhanced water-use efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Kandoi
- School of Life SciencesJawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
| | - Kamal Ruhil
- School of Life SciencesJawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
| | - Govindjee Govindjee
- Department of Plant BiologyDepartment of Biochemistry, and Center of Biophysics & Quantitative BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaILUSA
| | - Baishnab C. Tripathy
- School of Life SciencesJawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew DelhiIndia
- Department of BiotechnologySharda UniversityGreater NoidaUPIndia
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8
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Zhao H, Wang Y, Lyu MJA, Zhu XG. Two major metabolic factors for an efficient NADP-malic enzyme type C4 photosynthesis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 189:84-98. [PMID: 35166833 PMCID: PMC9070817 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Compared to the large number of studies focused on the factors controlling C3 photosynthesis efficiency, there are relatively fewer studies of the factors controlling photosynthetic efficiency in C4 leaves. Here, we used a dynamic systems model of C4 photosynthesis based on maize (Zea mays) to identify features associated with high photosynthetic efficiency in NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) type C4 photosynthesis. We found that two additional factors related to coordination between C4 shuttle metabolism and C3 metabolism are required for efficient C4 photosynthesis: (1) accumulating a high concentration of phosphoenolpyruvate through maintaining a large PGA concentration in the mesophyll cell chloroplast and (2) maintaining a suitable oxidized status in bundle sheath cell chloroplasts. These identified mechanisms are in line with the current cellular location of enzymes/proteins involved in the starch synthesis, the Calvin-Benson cycle and photosystem II of NADP-ME type C4 photosynthesis. These findings suggested potential strategies for improving C4 photosynthesis and engineering C4 rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglong Zhao
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yu Wang
- The Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Ming-Ju Amy Lyu
- Center of Excellence for Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
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9
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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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10
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Fan Y, Asao S, Furbank RT, von Caemmerer S, Day DA, Tcherkez G, Sage TL, Sage RF, Atkin OK. The crucial roles of mitochondria in supporting C 4 photosynthesis. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2022; 233:1083-1096. [PMID: 34669188 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
C4 photosynthesis involves a series of biochemical and anatomical traits that significantly improve plant productivity under conditions that reduce the efficiency of C3 photosynthesis. We explore how evolution of the three classical biochemical types of C4 photosynthesis (NADP-ME, NAD-ME and PCK types) has affected the functions and properties of mitochondria. Mitochondria in C4 NAD-ME and PCK types play a direct role in decarboxylation of metabolites for C4 photosynthesis. Mitochondria in C4 PCK type also provide ATP for C4 metabolism, although this role for ATP provision is not seen in NAD-ME type. Such involvement has increased mitochondrial abundance/size and associated enzymatic capacity, led to changes in mitochondrial location and ultrastructure, and altered the role of mitochondria in cellular carbon metabolism in the NAD-ME and PCK types. By contrast, these changes in mitochondrial properties are absent in the C4 NADP-ME type and C3 leaves, where mitochondria play no direct role in photosynthesis. From an eco-physiological perspective, rates of leaf respiration in darkness vary considerably among C4 species but does not differ systematically among the three C4 types. This review outlines further mitochondrial research in key areas central to the engineering of the C4 pathway into C3 plants and to the understanding of variation in rates of C4 dark respiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhen Fan
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Shinichi Asao
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Robert T Furbank
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Susanne von Caemmerer
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - David A Day
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Guillaume Tcherkez
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Institut de Recherche en Horticulture et Semences, INRA and University of Angers, Beaucouzé, 49070, France
| | - Tammy L Sage
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Rowan F Sage
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Owen K Atkin
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
- Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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11
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Iñiguez C, Aguiló-Nicolau P, Galmés J. Improving photosynthesis through the enhancement of Rubisco carboxylation capacity. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:2007-2019. [PMID: 34623388 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Rising human population, along with the reduction in arable land and the impacts of global change, sets out the need for continuously improving agricultural resource use efficiency and crop yield (CY). Bioengineering approaches for photosynthesis optimization have largely demonstrated the potential for enhancing CY. This review is focused on the improvement of Rubisco functioning, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of CO2 fixation required for plant growth, but also catalyzes the ribulose-bisphosphate oxygenation initiating the carbon and energy wasteful photorespiration pathway. Rubisco carboxylation capacity can be enhanced by engineering the Rubisco large and/or small subunit genes to improve its catalytic traits, or by engineering the mechanisms that provide enhanced Rubisco expression, activation and/or elevated [CO2] around the active sites to favor carboxylation over oxygenation. Recent advances have been made in the expression, assembly and activation of foreign (either natural or mutant) faster and/or more CO2-specific Rubisco versions. Some components of CO2 concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) from bacteria, algae and C4 plants has been successfully expressed in tobacco and rice. Still, none of the transformed plant lines expressing foreign Rubisco versions and/or simplified CCM components were able to grow faster than wild type plants under present atmospheric [CO2] and optimum conditions. However, the results obtained up to date suggest that it might be achievable in the near future. In addition, photosynthetic and yield improvements have already been observed when manipulating Rubisco quantity and activation degree in crops. Therefore, engineering Rubisco carboxylation capacity continues being a promising target for the improvement in photosynthesis and yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concepción Iñiguez
- Research Group on Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, Universitat de les Illes Balears-INAGEA, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Pere Aguiló-Nicolau
- Research Group on Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, Universitat de les Illes Balears-INAGEA, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
| | - Jeroni Galmés
- Research Group on Plant Biology Under Mediterranean Conditions, Universitat de les Illes Balears-INAGEA, Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain
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12
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Cui H. Challenges and Approaches to Crop Improvement Through C3-to-C4 Engineering. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:715391. [PMID: 34594351 PMCID: PMC8476962 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.715391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
With a rapidly growing world population and dwindling natural resources, we are now facing the enormous challenge of increasing crop yields while simultaneously improving the efficiency of resource utilization. Introduction of C4 photosynthesis into C3 crops is widely accepted as a key strategy to meet this challenge because C4 plants are more efficient than C3 plants in photosynthesis and resource usage, particularly in hot climates, where the potential for productivity is high. Lending support to the feasibility of this C3-to-C4 engineering, evidence indicates that C4 photosynthesis has evolved from C3 photosynthesis in multiple lineages. Nevertheless, C3-to-C4 engineering is not an easy task, as several features essential to C4 photosynthesis must be introduced into C3 plants. One such feature is the spatial separation of the two phases of photosynthesis (CO2 fixation and carbohydrate synthesis) into the mesophyll and bundle sheath cells, respectively. Another feature is the Kranz anatomy, characterized by a close association between the mesophyll and bundle sheath (BS) cells (1:1 ratio). These anatomical features, along with a C4-specific carbon fixation enzyme (PEPC), form a CO2-concentration mechanism that ensures a high photosynthetic efficiency. Much effort has been taken in the past to introduce the C4 mechanism into C3 plants, but none of these attempts has met with success, which is in my opinion due to a lack of system-level understanding and manipulation of the C3 and C4 pathways. As a prerequisite for the C3-to-C4 engineering, I propose that not only the mechanisms that control the Kranz anatomy and cell-type-specific expression in C3 and C4 plants must be elucidated, but also a good understanding of the gene regulatory network underlying C3 and C4 photosynthesis must be achieved. In this review, I first describe the past and current efforts to increase photosynthetic efficiency in C3 plants and their limitations; I then discuss a systems approach to tackling down this challenge, some practical issues, and recent technical innovations that would help us to solve these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchang Cui
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
- College of Life Science, Northwest Science University of Agriculture and Forestry, Yangling, China
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Swain A, Behera D, Karmakar S, Dash M, Dash BP, Swain P, Molla KA, Baig MJ. Morphophysiological alterations in transgenic rice lines expressing PPDK and ME genes from the C4 model Setaria italica. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 264:153482. [PMID: 34330009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2021.153482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
C4 plants are superior to C3 plants in terms of productivity and limited photorespiration. PPDK (pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase) and NADP-ME (NADP-dependent malic enzyme) are two important photosynthetic C4-specific enzymes present in the mesophyll cells of C4 plants. To evaluate the effect of C4 enzymes in rice, we developed transgenic rice lines by separately introducing Setaria italica PPDK [SiPPDK] and S. italica ME [SiME] gene constructs under the control of the green tissue-specific maize PPDK promoter. Rice plant lines for both constructs were screened using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern hybridization, and expression analysis. The best transgenic plant lines for each case were selected for physiological and biochemical characterization. The results from qRT-PCR and enzyme activity analysis revealed higher expression and activity of both PPDK and NADP-ME genes compared with the nontransformed and empty-vector-transformed plants. The average photosynthetic efficiency of transgenic plant lines carrying the PPDK and NADP-ME genes increased by 18% and 12%, respectively, and was positively correlated with the increased accumulation of photosynthetic pigment. The decrease in Fv/Fm, increased electron transport rate (ETR), and increased photochemical quenching (qP) compared with nontransformed control plants suggest that transgenic rice plants transferred more absorbed light energy to photochemical reactions than wild-type plants. SiME-transgenic plants displayed reduced leaf malate content and superior performance under water deficit conditions. Interestingly, the transgenic plants showed yield enhancement by exhibiting increased plant height, panicle length, panicle weight and thousand grain weight. Overall, the exogenous foxtail millet C4 gene PPDK enhanced photosynthesis and yield to a greater extent than NADP-ME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaka Swain
- ICAR- National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, 753006, Odisha, India
| | | | - Subhasis Karmakar
- ICAR- National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, 753006, Odisha, India
| | - Manaswini Dash
- ICAR- National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, 753006, Odisha, India
| | - Bisnu Prasad Dash
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, 756020, Odisha, India
| | - Padmini Swain
- ICAR- National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, 753006, Odisha, India
| | | | - Mirza J Baig
- ICAR- National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, 753006, Odisha, India.
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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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Ermakova M, Arrivault S, Giuliani R, Danila F, Alonso‐Cantabrana H, Vlad D, Ishihara H, Feil R, Guenther M, Borghi GL, Covshoff S, Ludwig M, Cousins AB, Langdale JA, Kelly S, Lunn JE, Stitt M, von Caemmerer S, Furbank RT. Installation of C 4 photosynthetic pathway enzymes in rice using a single construct. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:575-588. [PMID: 33016576 PMCID: PMC7955876 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction of a C4 photosynthetic mechanism into C3 crops offers an opportunity to improve photosynthetic efficiency, biomass and yield in addition to potentially improving nitrogen and water use efficiency. To create a two-cell metabolic prototype for an NADP-malic enzyme type C4 rice, we transformed Oryza sativa spp. japonica cultivar Kitaake with a single construct containing the coding regions of carbonic anhydrase, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase, pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase and NADP-malic enzyme from Zea mays, driven by cell-preferential promoters. Gene expression, protein accumulation and enzyme activity were confirmed for all five transgenes, and intercellular localization of proteins was analysed. 13 CO2 labelling demonstrated a 10-fold increase in flux though PEP carboxylase, exceeding the increase in measured in vitro enzyme activity, and estimated to be about 2% of the maize photosynthetic flux. Flux from malate via pyruvate to PEP remained low, commensurate with the low NADP-malic enzyme activity observed in the transgenic lines. Physiological perturbations were minor and RNA sequencing revealed no substantive effects of transgene expression on other endogenous rice transcripts associated with photosynthesis. These results provide promise that, with enhanced levels of the C4 proteins introduced thus far, a functional C4 pathway is achievable in 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 UniversityActonACTAustralia
| | | | - Rita Giuliani
- School of Biological SciencesMolecular Plant SciencesWashington State UniversityPullmanWAUSA
| | - Florence Danila
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational PhotosynthesisDivision of Plant ScienceResearch School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACTAustralia
| | - Hugo Alonso‐Cantabrana
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational PhotosynthesisDivision of Plant ScienceResearch School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACTAustralia
- Grains Research and Development CorporationBartonACTAustralia
| | - Daniela Vlad
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Hirofumi Ishihara
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Regina Feil
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Manuela Guenther
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Gian Luca Borghi
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Sarah Covshoff
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Martha Ludwig
- School of Molecular SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWAAustralia
| | - Asaph B. Cousins
- School of Biological SciencesMolecular Plant SciencesWashington State UniversityPullmanWAUSA
| | | | - Steven Kelly
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - John E. Lunn
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Mark Stitt
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Susanne von Caemmerer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational PhotosynthesisDivision of Plant ScienceResearch School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACTAustralia
| | - Robert T. Furbank
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational PhotosynthesisDivision of Plant ScienceResearch School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACTAustralia
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Zhang Q, Li Y, Xu W, Zhang Y, Qi X, Fang Y, Peng C. Joint expression of Zmpepc, Zmppdk, and Zmnadp-me is more efficient than expression of one or two of those genes in improving the photosynthesis of Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2021; 158:410-419. [PMID: 33257233 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.11.030] [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: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of seven combinations of maize (Zea mays) genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (pepc), pyruvate phosphate dikinase (ppdk), and NADP-malic enzyme (nadp-me), on the photosynthesis of Arabidopsis. The photosynthetic rate, carboxylation efficiency, and shoot-dry-weight of Zmpepc (PC), Zmpepc + Zmppdk (PCK), Zmpepc + Zmnadp-me (PCM), and Zmpepc + Zmppdk + Zmnadp-me (PCKM) were significantly higher than those of the control wild-type (WT), with a trends to be PCKM > PCK > PC and PCM > WT. This indicated that Zmpepc was a prerequisite for improved photosynthetic performance; Zmppdk had a positive effect on Zmpepc, and the triple gene combination had the most significant synergistic effects. PCKM significantly enhanced activity of photosystem (PS)II (K, J phase) and PSI, light energy absorption (ABS/CSm) and conversion (TRo/ABS), and electron transfer (ETo/TRo). PCKM up-regulated 18 photosynthesis-related proteins, among which, 11 were involved in light reaction resulting in improved light-energy absorption and conversion efficiency, electron transfer, activity and stability of PSII and PSI, and the ATP and NADPH production. The remaining seven proteins were involved in dark reaction. The up-regulation of these proteins in PCKM improved the coordinated operation of light and dark reaction, increasing the photosynthesis and dry weight ultimately. These results also provide a promising strategy for the genetic improvement of the photosynthetic performance of C3 crops by inserting major C4 photosynthetic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingchen Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat, Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Breeding in Central Huanghuai Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Molecular Breeding, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, China
| | - Yan Li
- National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat, Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Breeding in Central Huanghuai Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Molecular Breeding, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Weigang Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat, Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Breeding in Central Huanghuai Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Molecular Breeding, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Yu Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat, Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Breeding in Central Huanghuai Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Molecular Breeding, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Xueli Qi
- National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat, Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Breeding in Central Huanghuai Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Molecular Breeding, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yuhui Fang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat, Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Breeding in Central Huanghuai Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Molecular Breeding, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Chaojun Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory of Wheat, Key Laboratory of Wheat Biology and Genetic Breeding in Central Huanghuai Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Crop Molecular Breeding, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
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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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Lin H, Arrivault S, Coe RA, Karki S, Covshoff S, Bagunu E, Lunn JE, Stitt M, Furbank RT, Hibberd JM, Quick WP. A Partial C 4 Photosynthetic Biochemical Pathway in Rice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:564463. [PMID: 33178234 PMCID: PMC7593541 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.564463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Introduction of a C4 photosynthetic pathway into C3 rice (Oryza sativa) requires installation of a biochemical pump that concentrates CO2 at the site of carboxylation in modified bundle sheath cells. To investigate the feasibility of this, we generated a quadruple line that simultaneously accumulates four of the core C4 photosynthetic enzymes from the NADP-malic enzyme subtype, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (ZmPEPC), NADP-malate dehydrogenase (ZmNADP-MDH), NADP-malic enzyme (ZmNADP-ME), and pyruvate phosphate dikinase (ZmPPDK). This led to enhanced enzyme activity and mild phenotypic perturbations but was largely neutral in its effects on photosynthetic rate. Measurements of the flux of 13CO2 through photosynthetic metabolism revealed a significant increase in the incorporation of 13C into malate, consistent with increased fixation of 13CO2 via PEP carboxylase in lines expressing the maize PEPC enzyme. However, there was no significant differences in labeling of 3-phosphoglycerate (3PGA) indicating that there was no carbon flux through NADP-ME into the Calvin-Benson cycle. There was also no significant difference in labeling of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) indicating that there was no carbon flux through PPDK. Crossing the quadruple line with a line with reduced glycine decarboxylase H-protein (OsGDCH) abundance led to a photosynthetic phenotype characteristic of the reduced OsGDCH line and higher labeling of malate, aspartate and citrate than in the quintuple line. There was evidence of 13C labeling of aspartate indicating 13CO2 fixation into oxaloacetate by PEPC and conversion to aspartate by the endogenous aspartate aminotransferase activity. While Kranz anatomy or other anatomical modifications have not yet been installed in these plants to enable a fully functional C4 cycle, these results demonstrate for the first-time a partial flux through the carboxylation phase of NADP-ME C4 metabolism in transgenic rice containing two of the key metabolic steps in the C4 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- HsiangChun Lin
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Stéphanie Arrivault
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP), Potsdam, Germany
| | - Robert A. Coe
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Shanta Karki
- National Centre for Fruit Development, Kirtipur, Nepal
| | - Sarah Covshoff
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Efren Bagunu
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
| | - John E. Lunn
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP), Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mark Stitt
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (MPI-MP), Potsdam, Germany
| | - Robert T. Furbank
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Julian M. Hibberd
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - William Paul Quick
- C4 Rice Centre, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Philippines
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: William Paul Quick,
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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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20
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Muthusamy SK, Lenka SK, Katiyar A, Chinnusamy V, Singh AK, Bansal KC. Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Biotic and Abiotic Stress Regulation of C 4 Photosynthetic Pathway Genes in Rice. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2018; 187:221-238. [PMID: 29915917 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-018-2809-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Photosynthetic fixation of CO2 is more efficient in C4 than in C3 plants. Rice is a C3 plant and a potential target for genetic engineering of the C4 pathway. It is known that genes encoding C4 enzymes are present in C3 plants. However, no systematic analysis has been conducted to determine if these C4 gene family members are expressed in diverse rice genotypes. In this study, we identified 15 genes belonging to the five C4 gene families in rice genome through BLAST search using known maize C4 photosynthetic pathway genes. Phylogenetic relationship of rice C4 photosynthetic pathway genes and their isoforms with other grass genomes (Brachypodium, maize, Sorghum and Setaria), showed that these genes were highly conserved across grass genomes. Spatiotemporal, hormone, and abiotic stress specific expression pattern of the identified genes revealed constitutive as well as inductive responses of the C4 photosynthetic pathway in different tissues and developmental stages of rice. Expression levels of C4 specific gene family members in flag leaf during tillering stage were quantitatively analyzed in five rice genotypes covering three species, viz. Oryza sativa, ssp. japonica (cv. Nipponbare), Oryza sativa, ssp. indica (cv IR64, Swarna), and two wild species Oryza barthii and Oryza australiensis. The results showed that all the identified genes expressed in rice and exhibited differential expression pattern during different growth stages, and in response to biotic and abiotic stress conditions and hormone treatments. Our study concludes that C4 photosynthetic pathway genes present in rice play a crucial role in stress regulation and might act as targets for C4 pathway engineering via CRISPR-mediated breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senthilkumar K Muthusamy
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.,Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, 695017, India
| | - Sangram K Lenka
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.,TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, Gurgaon, 122 001, India
| | - Amit Katiyar
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.,ICMR-All India Institute of Medical Science, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Viswanathan Chinnusamy
- Division of Plant Physiology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Ashok K Singh
- Division of Genetics, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Kailash C Bansal
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India. .,TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, Gurgaon, 122 001, India.
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21
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Wang S, Tholen D, Zhu X. C 4 photosynthesis in C 3 rice: a theoretical analysis of biochemical and anatomical factors. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2017; 40:80-94. [PMID: 27628301 PMCID: PMC6139432 DOI: 10.1111/pce.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Engineering C4 photosynthesis into rice has been considered a promising strategy to increase photosynthesis and yield. A question that remains to be answered is whether expressing a C4 metabolic cycle into a C3 leaf structure and without removing the C3 background metabolism improves photosynthetic efficiency. To explore this question, we developed a 3D reaction diffusion model of bundle-sheath and connected mesophyll cells in a C3 rice leaf. Our results show that integrating a C4 metabolic pathway into rice leaves with a C3 metabolism and mesophyll structure may lead to an improved photosynthesis under current ambient CO2 concentration. We analysed a number of physiological factors that influence the CO2 uptake rate, which include the chloroplast surface area exposed to intercellular air space, bundle-sheath cell wall thickness, bundle-sheath chloroplast envelope permeability, Rubisco concentration and the energy partitioning between C3 and C4 cycles. Among these, partitioning of energy between C3 and C4 photosynthesis and the partitioning of Rubisco between mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells are decisive factors controlling photosynthetic efficiency in an engineered C3 -C4 leaf. The implications of the results for the sequence of C4 evolution are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS‐MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
| | - Danny Tholen
- Institute of Botany, Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, BOKU ViennaGregor‐Mendel‐Str. 33A‐1180ViennaAustria
| | - Xin‐Guang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS‐MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijing100049China
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22
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Kandoi D, Mohanty S, Tripathy BC. Towards efficient photosynthesis: overexpression of Zea mays phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in Arabidopsis thaliana. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2016; 130:47-72. [PMID: 26897549 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-016-0224-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Plants with C4 photosynthesis are efficient in carbon assimilation and have an advantage over C3 photosynthesis. In C4 photosynthesis, the primary CO2 fixation is catalyzed by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC). Here, we show that overexpression of Zea mays PEPC cDNA, under the control of 35S promoter, in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in ~7-10 fold higher protein abundance and ~7-10 fold increase in PEPC activity in the transgenic lines than that in the vector control. We suggest that overexpression of PEPC played an anaplerotic role to increase the supply of 4-carbon carboxylic acids, which provided carbon skeletons for increased amino acid and protein synthesis. Higher protein content must have been responsible for increased metabolic processes including chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and respiration. Consequently, the PEPC-overexpressed transgenic plants had higher chlorophyll content, enhanced electron transport rate (ETR), lower non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) of chlorophyll a fluorescence, and a higher performance index (PI) than the vector control. Consistent with these observations, the rate of CO2 assimilation, the starch content, and the dry weight of PEPC-overexpressed plants increased by 14-18 %, 10-18 %, and 6.5-16 %, respectively. Significantly, transgenics were tolerant to salt stress as they had increased ability to synthesize amino acids, including the osmolyte proline. NaCl (150 mM)-treated transgenic plants had higher variable to maximum Chl a fluorescence (F v/F m) ratio, higher PI, higher ETR, and lower NPQ than the salt-treated vector controls. These results suggest that expression of C4 photosynthesis enzyme(s) in a C3 plant can improve its photosynthetic capacity with enhanced tolerance to salinity stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Kandoi
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India
| | - Sasmita Mohanty
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751024, India
| | - Baishnab C Tripathy
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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23
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Erb TJ, Zarzycki J. Biochemical and synthetic biology approaches to improve photosynthetic CO 2-fixation. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2016; 34:72-79. [PMID: 27400232 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to improve agricultural productivity to secure future food and biofuel supply. Here, we summarize current approaches that aim at improving photosynthetic CO2-fixation. We critically review, compare and comment on the four major lines of research towards this aim, which focus on (i) improving RubisCO, the CO2-fixing enzyme in photosynthesis, (ii) implementing CO2-concentrating mechanisms, (iii) establishing synthetic photorespiration bypasses, and (iv) engineering synthetic CO2-fixation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias J Erb
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Biochemistry & Synthetic Biology of Microbial Metabolism Group, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany; LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Philipps University Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
| | - Jan Zarzycki
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Biochemistry & Synthetic Biology of Microbial Metabolism Group, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
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24
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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: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [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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25
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Ding Z, Weissmann S, Wang M, Du B, Huang L, Wang L, Tu X, Zhong S, Myers C, Brutnell TP, Sun Q, Li P. Identification of Photosynthesis-Associated C4 Candidate Genes through Comparative Leaf Gradient Transcriptome in Multiple Lineages of C3 and C4 Species. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140629. [PMID: 26465154 PMCID: PMC4605685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Leaves of C4 crops usually have higher radiation, water and nitrogen use efficiencies compared to the C3 species. Engineering C4 traits into C3 crops has been proposed as one of the most promising ways to repeal the biomass yield ceiling. To better understand the function of C4 photosynthesis, and to identify candidate genes that are associated with the C4 pathways, a comparative transcription network analysis was conducted on leaf developmental gradients of three C4 species including maize, green foxtail and sorghum and one C3 species, rice. By combining the methods of gene co-expression and differentially co-expression networks, we identified a total of 128 C4 specific genes. Besides the classic C4 shuttle genes, a new set of genes associated with light reaction, starch and sucrose metabolism, metabolites transportation, as well as transcription regulation, were identified as involved in C4 photosynthesis. These findings will provide important insights into the differential gene regulation between C3 and C4 species, and a good genetic resource for establishing C4 pathways in C3 crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehong Ding
- The Institute of Tropical Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Hainan, Haikou, China
- Computational Biology Service Unit, Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Sarit Weissmann
- The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Minghui Wang
- Computational Biology Service Unit, Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Baijuan Du
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Computational Biology Service Unit, Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Lin Wang
- The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Xiaoyu Tu
- Partner State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Silin Zhong
- Partner State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher Myers
- Computational Biology Service Unit, Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas P. Brutnell
- The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Qi Sun
- Computational Biology Service Unit, Life Sciences Core Laboratories Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Pinghua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Agronomy, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, Shandong, China
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26
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Garnett T, Plett D, Heuer S, Okamoto M. Genetic approaches to enhancing nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) in cereals: challenges and future directions. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2015; 42:921-941. [PMID: 32480734 DOI: 10.1071/fp15025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Over 100million tonnes of nitrogen (N) fertiliser are applied globally each year to maintain high yields in agricultural crops. The rising price of N fertilisers has made them a major cost for farmers. Inefficient use of N fertiliser leads to substantial environmental problems through contamination of air and water resources and can be a significant economic cost. Consequently, there is considerable need to improve the way N fertiliser is used in farming systems. The efficiency with which crops use applied N fertiliser - the nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) - is currently quite low for cereals. This is the case in both high yielding environments and lower yielding environments characteristic of cereal growing regions of Australia. Multiple studies have attempted to identify the genetic basis of NUE, but the utility of the results is limited because of the complex nature of the trait and the magnitude of genotype by environment interaction. Transgenic approaches have been applied to improve plant NUE but with limited success, due, in part, to a combination of the complexity of the trait but also due to lack of accurate phenotyping methods. This review documents these two approaches and suggests future directions in improving cereal NUE with a focus on the Australian cereal industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Garnett
- Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Darren Plett
- Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Sigrid Heuer
- Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Mamoru Okamoto
- Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, School of Agriculture Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5064, Australia
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27
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Qian B, Li X, Liu X, Chen P, Ren C, Dai C. Enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic rice over-expressing of maize C4 phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene via NO and Ca(2+). JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2015; 175:9-20. [PMID: 25460871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2014.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Revised: 07/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We determined the effects of endogenous nitric oxide and Ca(2+) on photosynthesis and gene expression in transgenic rice plants (PC) over-expressing the maize C4pepc gene, which encodes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) under drought. In this study, seedlings were subjected to PEG 6000 treatments using PC and wild type (WT; Kitaake). The results showed that, compared with WT, PC had higher relative water content (RWC) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) under drought. During a 2-day re-watering treatment, Pn recovered faster in PC than in WT. Further analyses showed that, under the drought treatment, the amount of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) increased in WT mainly via NADPH oxidase. While in PC, the endogenous nitric oxide (NO) content increased via nitrate reductase and nitric oxide synthase on day 2 of the drought treatment and day 1 of the re-watering treatment. After 2 days of drought treatment, PC also showed higher PEPC activity, calcium content, phospholipase D (PLD) activity, C4-pepc and NAC6 transcript levels, and protein kinase activity as compared with PC without treatment. These changes did not occur in WT. Correlation analysis also proved NO associated with these indicators in PC. Based on these results, there was a particular molecular mechanism of drought tolerance in PC. The mechanism is related to the signaling processes via NO and Ca(2+) involving the protein kinase and the transcription factor, resulted in up-regulation of PEPC activity and its gene expression, such as C4pepc. Some genes encode antioxidant system, cu/zn-sod as well, which promote antioxidant system to clear MDA and superoxide anion radical, thereby conferring drought tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyun Qian
- Institute of Food Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu High Quality Rice R & D Center, Nanjing Branch, China National Center for Rice Improvement, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Nanjing 210014, PR China; College of Life Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Xia Li
- Institute of Food Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu High Quality Rice R & D Center, Nanjing Branch, China National Center for Rice Improvement, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Nanjing 210014, PR China.
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- Institute of Food Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu High Quality Rice R & D Center, Nanjing Branch, China National Center for Rice Improvement, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Nanjing 210014, PR China; College of Life Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Pingbo Chen
- Institute of Food Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu High Quality Rice R & D Center, Nanjing Branch, China National Center for Rice Improvement, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Nanjing 210014, PR China
| | - Chengang Ren
- Institute of Food Crops, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu High Quality Rice R & D Center, Nanjing Branch, China National Center for Rice Improvement, Provincial Key Laboratory of Agrobiology, Nanjing 210014, PR China
| | - Chuanchao Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Microbes and Functional Genomics, Jiangsu Engineering and Technology Research Center for Industrialization of Microbial Resources, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, PR China
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28
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DePaoli HC, Borland AM, Tuskan GA, Cushman JC, Yang X. Synthetic biology as it relates to CAM photosynthesis: challenges and opportunities. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2014; 65:3381-93. [PMID: 24567493 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eru038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
To meet future food and energy security needs, which are amplified by increasing population growth and reduced natural resource availability, metabolic engineering efforts have moved from manipulating single genes/proteins to introducing multiple genes and novel pathways to improve photosynthetic efficiency in a more comprehensive manner. Biochemical carbon-concentrating mechanisms such as crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), which improves photosynthetic, water-use, and possibly nutrient-use efficiency, represent a strategic target for synthetic biology to engineer more productive C3 crops for a warmer and drier world. One key challenge for introducing multigene traits like CAM onto a background of C3 photosynthesis is to gain a better understanding of the dynamic spatial and temporal regulatory events that underpin photosynthetic metabolism. With the aid of systems and computational biology, vast amounts of experimental data encompassing transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics can be related in a network to create dynamic models. Such models can undergo simulations to discover key regulatory elements in metabolism and suggest strategic substitution or augmentation by synthetic components to improve photosynthetic performance and water-use efficiency in C3 crops. Another key challenge in the application of synthetic biology to photosynthesis research is to develop efficient systems for multigene assembly and stacking. Here, we review recent progress in computational modelling as applied to plant photosynthesis, with attention to the requirements for CAM, and recent advances in synthetic biology tool development. Lastly, we discuss possible options for multigene pathway construction in plants with an emphasis on CAM-into-C3 engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique C DePaoli
- BioSciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6422, USA
| | - Anne M Borland
- BioSciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6422, USA School of Biology, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Gerald A Tuskan
- BioSciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6422, USA
| | - John C Cushman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MS330, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557-0330, USA
| | - Xiaohan Yang
- BioSciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6422, USA
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29
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Fukayama H, Fujiwara N, Hatanaka T, Misoo S, Miyao M. Nocturnal phosphorylation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in the leaves of hygrophytic C3 monocots. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2014; 78:609-13. [PMID: 25036957 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2014.891930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) undergoes activity regulation through reversible phosphorylation. The day/night phosphorylation of leaf PEPC in 27 C3 plant species was analyzed by immunoblotting. PEPC was phosphorylated in the daytime in 12 species, whereas it was phosphorylated at night in three species, rice, Monochoria vaginalis, and Sagittaria trifolia, all of which are hygrophytic monocots. Immunoblot analysis of isolated chloroplasts of M. vaginalis identified a PEPC protein inside the chloroplast in addition to cytosolic isozyme(s) as previously shown in genus Oryza. Using transgenic rice overexpressing the maize PEPC in the cytosol, we confirmed that the cytosolic PEPC underwent the nocturnal phosphorylation. These results suggest the interrelationship between the presence of chloroplastic PEPC and the nocturnal phosphorylation of cytosolic isozyme(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Fukayama
- a Laboratory of Crop Science , Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University , Kobe , Japan
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30
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Lian L, Wang X, Zhu Y, He W, Cai Q, Xie H, Zhang M, Zhang J. Physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of indica Hang2 expressing the sugarcane PEPC gene. Mol Biol Rep 2014; 41:2189-97. [PMID: 24469712 PMCID: PMC3968443 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-014-3070-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is known to play a key role in the initial fixation of CO2 in C4 photosynthesis. The PEPC gene from sugarcane (a C4 plant) was introduced into indica rice (Hang2), a process mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Integration patterns and copy numbers of the gene was confirmed by DNA blot analysis. RT-PCR and western blotting results showed that the PEPC gene was expressed at both the mRNA and protein levels in the transgenic lines. Real-time PCR results indicated that expression of the sugarcane PEPC gene occurred mostly in green tissues and changed under high temperature and drought stress. All transgenic lines showed higher PEPC enzyme activities compared to the untransformed controls, with the highest activity (11.1 times higher than the controls) being observed in the transgenic line, T34. The transgenic lines also exhibited higher photosynthetic rates. The highest photosynthetic rate was observed in the transgenic line, T54 (22.3 μmol m−2 s−1; 24.6 % higher than that in non-transgenic plants) under high-temperature conditions. Furthermore, the filled grain and total grain numbers for transgenic lines were higher than those for non-transgenic plants, but the grain filling (%) and 1,000-grain weights of all transgenic lines remained unchanged. We concluded that over-expression of the PEPC gene from sugarcane in indica rice (Hang2) resulted in higher PEPC enzyme activities and higher photosynthesis rates under high-temperature conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Lian
- Rice Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350018, People's Republic of China
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31
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Colmer TD, Armstrong W, Greenway H, Ismail AM, Kirk GJD, Atwell BJ. Physiological Mechanisms of Flooding Tolerance in Rice: Transient Complete Submergence and Prolonged Standing Water. PROGRESS IN BOTANY 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-38797-5_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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32
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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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33
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Dubouzet JG, Strabala TJ, Wagner A. Potential transgenic routes to increase tree biomass. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2013; 212:72-101. [PMID: 24094056 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2013.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 08/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Biomass is a prime target for genetic engineering in forestry because increased biomass yield will benefit most downstream applications such as timber, fiber, pulp, paper, and bioenergy production. Transgenesis can increase biomass by improving resource acquisition and product utilization and by enhancing competitive ability for solar energy, water, and mineral nutrients. Transgenes that affect juvenility, winter dormancy, and flowering have been shown to influence biomass as well. Transgenic approaches have increased yield potential by mitigating the adverse effects of prevailing stress factors in the environment. Simultaneous introduction of multiple genes for resistance to various stress factors into trees may help forest trees cope with multiple or changing environments. We propose multi-trait engineering for tree crops, simultaneously deploying multiple independent genes to address a set of genetically uncorrelated traits that are important for crop improvement. This strategy increases the probability of unpredictable (synergistic or detrimental) interactions that may substantially affect the overall phenotype and its long-term performance. The very limited ability to predict the physiological processes that may be impacted by such a strategy requires vigilance and care during implementation. Hence, we recommend close monitoring of the resultant transgenic genotypes in multi-year, multi-location field trials.
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34
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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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35
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Karki S, Rizal G, Quick WP. Improvement of photosynthesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by inserting the C4 pathway. RICE (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2013; 6:28. [PMID: 24280149 PMCID: PMC4883725 DOI: 10.1186/1939-8433-6-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
To boost food production for a rapidly growing global population, crop yields must significantly increase. One of the avenues being recently explored is the improvement of photosynthetic capacity by installing the C4 photosynthetic pathway into C3 crops like rice to drastically increase their yield. Crops with an enhanced photosynthetic mechanism would better utilize the solar radiation that can be translated into yield. This subsequently will help in producing more grain yield, reduce water loss and increase nitrogen use efficiency especially in hot and dry environments. This review provides a summary of the factors that need to be modified in rice so that the C4 pathway can be introduced successfully. It also discusses the differences between the C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways in terms of anatomy, biochemistry and genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanta Karki
- />C4 Rice Center, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Laguna Philippines
| | - Govinda Rizal
- />C4 Rice Center, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Laguna Philippines
| | - William Paul Quick
- />C4 Rice Center, International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos, Laguna Philippines
- />Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Chen H, Lin Y. Promise and issues of genetically modified crops. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2013; 16:255-260. [PMID: 23571013 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2013.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2012] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The growing area of genetically modified (GM) crops has substantially expanded since they were first commercialized in 1996. Correspondingly, the adoption of GM crops has brought huge economic and environmental benefits. All these achievements have been primarily supported by two simple traits of herbicide tolerance and insect resistance in the past 17 years. However, this situation will change soon. Recently, the advance of new products, technologies and safety assessment approaches has provided new opportunities for development of GM crops. In this review, we focus on the developmental trend in various aspects of GM crops including new products, technical innovation and risk assessment approaches, as well as potential challenges that GM crops are currently encountering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research (Wuhan), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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Maurino VG, Weber APM. Engineering photosynthesis in plants and synthetic microorganisms. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2013; 64:743-51. [PMID: 23028016 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ers263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Photosynthetic organisms, such as cyanobacteria, algae, and plants, sustain life on earth by converting light energy, water, and CO(2) into chemical energy. However, due to global change and a growing human population, arable land is becoming scarce and resources, including water and fertilizers, are becoming exhausted. It will therefore be crucial to design innovative strategies for sustainable plant production to maintain the food and energy bases of human civilization. Several different strategies for engineering improved photosynthesis in crop plants and introducing novel photosynthetic capacity into microorganisms have been reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica G Maurino
- Plant Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Developmental and Molecular Biology, Center of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Heinrich-Heine-University, Universitätsstrasse 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Cossani CM, Reynolds MP. Physiological traits for improving heat tolerance in wheat. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 160:1710-8. [PMID: 23054564 PMCID: PMC3510104 DOI: 10.1104/pp.112.207753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C Mariano Cossani
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, El Batán, Texcoco CP 56130, Mexico.
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Reynolds M, Foulkes J, Furbank R, Griffiths S, King J, Murchie E, Parry M, Slafer G. Achieving yield gains in wheat. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2012; 35:1799-823. [PMID: 22860982 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2012.02588.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Wheat provides 20% of calories and protein consumed by humans. Recent genetic gains are <1% per annum (p.a.), insufficient to meet future demand. The Wheat Yield Consortium brings expertise in photosynthesis, crop adaptation and genetics to a common breeding platform. Theory suggest radiation use efficiency (RUE) of wheat could be increased ~50%; strategies include modifying specificity, catalytic rate and regulation of Rubisco, up-regulating Calvin cycle enzymes, introducing chloroplast CO(2) concentrating mechanisms, optimizing light and N distribution of canopies while minimizing photoinhibition, and increasing spike photosynthesis. Maximum yield expression will also require dynamic optimization of source: sink so that dry matter partitioning to reproductive structures is not at the cost of the roots, stems and leaves needed to maintain physiological and structural integrity. Crop development should favour spike fertility to maximize harvest index so phenology must be tailored to different photoperiods, and sensitivity to unpredictable weather must be modulated to reduce conservative responses that reduce harvest index. Strategic crossing of complementary physiological traits will be augmented with wide crossing, while genome-wide selection and high throughput phenotyping and genotyping will increase efficiency of progeny screening. To ensure investment in breeding achieves agronomic impact, sustainable crop management must also be promoted through crop improvement networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Reynolds
- Global Wheat Program, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), México, DF, Mexico.
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von Caemmerer S, Quick WP, Furbank RT. The development of C₄rice: current progress and future challenges. Science 2012; 336:1671-2. [PMID: 22745421 DOI: 10.1126/science.1220177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Another "green revolution" is needed for crop yields to meet demands for food. The international C(4) Rice Consortium is working toward introducing a higher-capacity photosynthetic mechanism--the C(4) pathway--into rice to increase yield. The goal is to identify the genes necessary to install C(4) photosynthesis in rice through different approaches, including genomic and transcriptional sequence comparisons and mutant screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne von Caemmerer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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Zabaleta E, Martin MV, Braun HP. A basal carbon concentrating mechanism in plants? PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2012; 187:97-104. [PMID: 22404837 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2012.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Revised: 02/01/2012] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Many photosynthetic organisms have developed inorganic carbon (Ci) concentrating mechanisms (CCMs) that increase the CO₂ concentration within the vicinity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO). Several CCMs, such as four carbon (C4) and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), bicarbonate accumulation systems and capsular structures around RubisCO have been described in great detail. These systems are believed to have evolved several times as mechanisms that acclimate organisms to unfavourable growth conditions. Based on recent experimental evidence we propose the occurrence of another more general CCM system present in all plants. This basal CCM (bCCM) is supposed to be composed of mitochondrial carbonic anhydrases (a β-type carbonic anhydrase and the γ-type carbonic anhydrase domain of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase complex) and probably further unknown components. The bCCM is proposed to reduce leakage of CO₂ from plant cells and allow efficient recycling of mitochondrial CO₂ for carbon fixation in chloroplasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Zabaleta
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas IIB-CONICET-UNMdP, Funes 3250 3er nivel 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
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Rizal G, Karki S, Thakur V, Chatterjee J, A. Coe R, Wanchana S, Quick WP. Towards a C4 Rice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.3923/ajcb.2012.13.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Covshoff S, Hibberd JM. Integrating C4 photosynthesis into C3 crops to increase yield potential. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2012; 23:209-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2011.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Revised: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Sage RF, Zhu XG. Exploiting the engine of C(4) photosynthesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2011; 62:2989-3000. [PMID: 21652533 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/err179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Ever since the discovery of C(4) photosynthesis in the mid-1960s, plant biologists have envisaged the introduction of the C(4) photosynthetic pathway into C(3) crops such as rice and soybeans. Recent advances in genomics capabilities, and new evolutionary and developmental studies indicate that C(4) engineering will be feasible in the next few decades. Furthermore, better understanding of the function of C(4) photosynthesis provides new ways to improve existing C(4) crops and bioenergy species, for example by creating varieties with ultra-high water and nitrogen use efficiencies. In the case of C(4) engineering, the main enzymes of the C(4) metabolic cycle have already been engineered into various C(3) plants. In contrast, knowledge of the genes controlling Kranz anatomy lags far behind. Combining traditional genetics, high-throughput sequencing technologies, systems biology, bioinformatics, and the use of the new C(4) model species Setaria viridis, the discovery of the key genes controlling the expression of C(4) photosynthesis can be dramatically accelerated. Sustained investment in the research areas directly related to C(4) engineering has the potential for substantial return in the decades to come, primarily by increasing crop production at a time when global food supplies are predicted to fall below world demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan F Sage
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S3B2 Canada.
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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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