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Zhang B, Ma Z, Guo H, Chen S, Liu J. Single-cell RNA-sequencing provides new insights into the cell-specific expression patterns and transcriptional regulation of photosynthetic genes in bermudagrass leaf blades. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2024; 213:108857. [PMID: 38905728 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
As an important warm-season turfgrass species, bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) flourishes in warm areas around the world due to the existence of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. However, how C4 photosynthesis operates in bermudagrass leaves is still poorly understood. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing on 5296 cells from bermudagrass leaf blades. Eight cell clusters corresponding to mesophyll, bundle sheath, epidermis and vascular bundle cells were successfully identified using known cell marker genes. Expression profiling indicated that genes encoding NADP-dependent malic enzymes (NADP-MEs) were highly expressed in bundle sheath cells, whereas NAD-ME genes were weakly expressed in all cell types, suggesting C4 photosynthesis of bermudagrass leaf blades might be NADP-ME type rather than NAD-ME type. The results also indicated that starch synthesis-related genes showed preferential expression in bundle sheath cells, whereas starch degradation-related genes were highly expressed in mesophyll cells, which agrees with the observed accumulation of starch-filled chloroplasts in bundle sheath cells. Gene co-expression analysis further revealed that different families of transcription factors were co-expressed with multiple C4 photosynthesis-related genes, suggesting a complex transcription regulatory network of C4 photosynthesis might exist in bermudagrass leaf blades. These findings collectively provided new insights into the cell-specific expression patterns and transcriptional regulation of photosynthetic genes in bermudagrass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
| | - Ziyan Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hailin Guo
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Si Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jianxiu Liu
- Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
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2
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Wang G, Mao J, Ji M, Wang W, Fu J. A comprehensive assessment of photosynthetic acclimation to shade in C4 grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:591. [PMID: 38902617 PMCID: PMC11191358 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05242-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Light deficit in shaded environment critically impacts the growth and development of turf plants. Despite this fact, past research has predominantly concentrated on shade avoidance rather than shade tolerance. To address this, our study examined the photosynthetic adjustments of Bermudagrass when exposed to varying intensities of shade to gain an integrative understanding of the shade response of C4 turfgrass. RESULTS We observed alterations in photosynthetic pigment-proteins, electron transport and its associated carbon and nitrogen assimilation, along with ROS-scavenging enzyme activity in shaded conditions. Mild shade enriched Chl b and LHC transcripts, while severe shade promoted Chl a, carotenoids and photosynthetic electron transfer beyond QA- (ET0/RC, φE0, Ψ0). The study also highlighted differential effects of shade on leaf and root components. For example, Soluble sugar content varied between leaves and roots as shade diminished SPS, SUT1 but upregulated BAM. Furthermore, we observed that shading decreased the transcriptional level of genes involving in nitrogen assimilation (e.g. NR) and SOD, POD, CAT enzyme activities in leaves, even though it increased in roots. CONCLUSIONS As shade intensity increased, considerable changes were noted in light energy conversion and photosynthetic metabolism processes along the electron transport chain axis. Our study thus provides valuable theoretical groundwork for understanding how C4 grass acclimates to shade tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyang Wang
- Coastal Salinity Tolerant Grass Engineering and Technology Research Center, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China
| | - Jinyan Mao
- College of Agriculture, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China
| | - Mingxia Ji
- Coastal Salinity Tolerant Grass Engineering and Technology Research Center, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Coastal Salinity Tolerant Grass Engineering and Technology Research Center, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China
| | - Jinmin Fu
- Coastal Salinity Tolerant Grass Engineering and Technology Research Center, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, Shandong, China.
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3
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Bellasio C, Lundgren MR. The operation of PEPCK increases light harvesting plasticity in C 4 NAD-ME and NADP-ME photosynthetic subtypes: A theoretical study. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2024; 47:2288-2309. [PMID: 38494958 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The repeated emergence of NADP-malic enzyme (ME), NAD-ME and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) subtypes of C4 photosynthesis are iconic examples of convergent evolution, which suggests that these biochemistries do not randomly assemble, but are instead specific adaptations resulting from unknown evolutionary drivers. Theoretical studies that are based on the classic biochemical understanding have repeatedly proposed light-use efficiency as a possible benefit of the PEPCK subtype. However, quantum yield measurements do not support this idea. We explore this inconsistency here via an analytical model that features explicit descriptions across a seamless gradient between C4 biochemistries to analyse light harvesting and dark photosynthetic metabolism. Our simulations show that the NADP-ME subtype, operated by the most productive crops, is the most efficient. The NAD-ME subtype has lower efficiency, but has greater light harvesting plasticity (the capacity to assimilate CO2 in the broadest combination of light intensity and spectral qualities). In both NADP-ME and NAD-ME backgrounds, increasing PEPCK activity corresponds to greater light harvesting plasticity but likely imposed a reduction in photosynthetic efficiency. We draw the first mechanistic links between light harvesting and C4 subtypes, providing the theoretical basis for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Bellasio
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Applied Crop Ecophysiology, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Chemistry, Biology ond Biotechnology, Università Degli Studi Di Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Department of Biology, University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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4
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Rui M, Chen R, Jing Y, Wu F, Chen ZH, Tissue D, Jiang H, Wang Y. Guard cell and subsidiary cell sizes are key determinants for stomatal kinetics and drought adaptation in cereal crops. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:2479-2494. [PMID: 38622763 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Climate change-induced drought is a major threat to agriculture. C4 crops have a higher water use efficiency (WUE) and better adaptability to drought than C3 crops due to their smaller stomatal morphology and faster response. However, our understanding of stomatal behaviours in both C3 and C4 Poaceae crops is limited by knowledge gaps in physical traits of guard cell (GC) and subsidiary cell (SC). We employed infrared gas exchange analysis and a stomatal assay to explore the relationship between GC/SC sizes and stomatal kinetics across diverse drought conditions in two C3 (wheat and barley) and three C4 (maize, sorghum and foxtail millet) upland Poaceae crops. Through statistical analyses, we proposed a GCSC-τ model to demonstrate how morphological differences affect stomatal kinetics in C4 Poaceae crops. Our findings reveal that morphological variations specifically correlate with stomatal kinetics in C4 Poaceae crops, but not in C3 ones. Subsequent modelling and experimental validation provide further evidence that GC/SC sizes significantly impact stomatal kinetics, which affects stomatal responses to different drought conditions and thereby WUE in C4 Poaceae crops. These findings emphasize the crucial advantage of GC/SC morphological characteristics and stomatal kinetics for the drought adaptability of C4 Poaceae crops, highlighting their potential as future climate-resilient crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Rui
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Rongjia Chen
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yi Jing
- BGI-Sanya, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Feibo Wu
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zhong-Hua Chen
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - David Tissue
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- Global Centre for Land-Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Richmond, NSW, 2753, Australia
| | - Hangjin Jiang
- Center for Data Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yizhou Wang
- Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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5
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Ouyang W, Wientjes E, van der Putten PEL, Caracciolo L, Zhao R, Agho C, Chiurazzi MJ, Bongers M, Struik PC, van Amerongen H, Yin X. Roles for leakiness and O 2 evolution in explaining lower-than-theoretical quantum yields of photosynthesis in the PEP-CK subtype of C 4 plants. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 242:431-443. [PMID: 38406986 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19614] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Theoretically, the PEP-CK C4 subtype has a higher quantum yield of CO2 assimilation (Φ CO 2 ) than NADP-ME or NAD-ME subtypes because ATP required for operating the CO2-concentrating mechanism is believed to mostly come from the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC). However, reportedΦ CO 2 is not higher in PEP-CK than in the other subtypes. We hypothesise, more photorespiration, associated with higher leakiness and O2 evolution in bundle-sheath (BS) cells, cancels out energetic advantages in PEP-CK species. Nine species (two to four species per subtype) were evaluated by gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and two-photon microscopy to estimate the BS conductance (gbs) and leakiness using a biochemical model. Average gbs estimates were 2.9, 4.8, and 5.0 mmol m-2 s-1 bar-1, and leakiness values were 0.129, 0.179, and 0.180, in NADP-ME, NAD-ME, and PEP-CK species, respectively. The BS CO2 level was somewhat higher, O2 level was marginally lower, and thus, photorespiratory loss was slightly lower, in NADP-ME than in NAD-ME and PEP-CK species. Differences in these parameters existed among species within a subtype, and gbs was co-determined by biochemical decarboxylating sites and anatomical characteristics. Our hypothesis and results partially explain variations in observedΦ CO 2 , but suggest that PEP-CK species probably use less ATP from mETC than classically defined PEP-CK mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Ouyang
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, Yunnan, China
| | - Emilie Wientjes
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 8128, 6700 ET, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter E L van der Putten
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ludovico Caracciolo
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 8128, 6700 ET, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ruixuan Zhao
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- School of Agriculture, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650504, Yunnan, China
| | - Collins Agho
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Maurizio Junior Chiurazzi
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marius Bongers
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paul C Struik
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Herbert van Amerongen
- Laboratory of Biophysics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 8128, 6700 ET, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Xinyou Yin
- Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Gao Y, He X, Lv H, Liu H, Li Y, Hu Y, Liu Y, Huang Y, Zhang J. Epi-Brassinolide Regulates ZmC4 NADP-ME Expression through the Transcription Factors ZmbHLH157 and ZmNF-YC2. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054614. [PMID: 36902048 PMCID: PMC10002761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Maize is a main food and feed crop with great production potential and high economic benefits. Improving its photosynthesis efficiency is crucial for increasing yield. Maize photosynthesis occurs mainly through the C4 pathway, and NADP-ME (NADP-malic enzyme) is a key enzyme in the photosynthetic carbon assimilation pathway of C4 plants. ZmC4-NADP-ME catalyzes the release of CO2 from oxaloacetate into the Calvin cycle in the maize bundle sheath. Brassinosteroid (BL) can improve photosynthesis; however, its molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, transcriptome sequencing of maize seedlings treated with epi-brassinolide (EBL) showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in photosynthetic antenna proteins, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, and photosynthesis pathways. The DEGs of C4-NADP-ME and pyruvate phosphate dikinase in the C4 pathway were significantly enriched in EBL treatment. Co-expression analysis showed that the transcription level of ZmNF-YC2 and ZmbHLH157 transcription factors was increased under EBL treatment and moderately positively correlated with ZmC4-NADP-ME. Transient overexpression of protoplasts revealed that ZmNF-YC2 and ZmbHLH157 activate C4-NADP-ME promoters. Further experiments showed ZmNF-YC2 and ZmbHLH157 transcription factor binding sites on the -1616 bp and -1118 bp ZmC4 NADP-ME promoter. ZmNF-YC2 and ZmbHLH157 were screened as candidate transcription factors mediating brassinosteroid hormone regulation of the ZmC4 NADP-ME gene. The results provide a theoretical basis for improving maize yield using BR hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanfen Gao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625000, China
| | - Xuewu He
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625000, China
| | - Huayang Lv
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625000, China
| | - Hanmei Liu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625000, China
| | - Yangping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yufeng Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yinghong Liu
- Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yubi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
- Correspondence: (Y.H.); (J.Z.)
| | - Junjie Zhang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625000, China
- Correspondence: (Y.H.); (J.Z.)
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7
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Chen S, Peng W, Ansah EO, Xiong F, Wu Y. Encoded C 4 homologue enzymes genes function under abiotic stresses in C3 plant. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2022; 17:2115634. [PMID: 36102341 PMCID: PMC9481101 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2022.2115634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plant organisms assimilate CO2 through the photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates in the synthesis of sugar for plant development. As environmental elements including water level, CO2 concentration, temperature and soil characteristics change, the plants may recruit series of genes to help adapt the hostile environments and challenges. C4 photosynthesis plants are an excellent example of plant evolutionary adaptation to diverse condition. Compared with C3 photosynthesis plants, C4 photosynthesis plants have altered leaf anatomy and new metabolism for CO2 capture, with multiple related enzymes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCase), pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK), NAD(P)-malic enzyme (NAD(P)-ME), NAD(P) - malate dehydrogenase (NAD(P)-MDH) and carbonic anhydrases (CA), identified to participate in the carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) pathway. Recently, great achievements about C4 CCM-related genes have been made in the dissection of C3 plant development processes involving various stresses. In this review, we describe the functions of C4 CCM-related homologous genes in carbon and nitrogen metabolism in C3 plants. We further summarize C4 CCM-related homologous genes' functions in response to stresses in C3 plants. The understanding of C4 CCM-related genes' function in response to abiotic stress in plant is important to modify the crop plants for climate diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wangmenghan Peng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ebenezer Ottopah Ansah
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Fei Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yunfei Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology/Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops/Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
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8
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Sagun JV, Chow WS, Ghannoum O. Leaf pigments and photosystems stoichiometry underpin photosynthetic efficiency of related C 3 , C-C 4 and C 4 grasses under shade. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2022; 174:e13819. [PMID: 36344438 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The quantum yield of photosynthesis (QY, CO2 fixed per light absorbed) depends on the efficiency of light absorption, the coupling between light absorption and electron transport, and the coupling between electron transport and carbon metabolism. QY is generally lower in C3 relative to C4 plants at warm temperatures and differs among the C4 subtypes. We investigated the acclimation to shade of light absorption and electron transport in six representative grasses with C3 , C3 -C4 and C4 photosynthesis. Plants were grown under full (control) or 25% (shade) sunlight. We measured the in vivo activity and stoichiometry of PSI and PSII, leaf spectral properties and pigment contents, and photosynthetic enzyme activities. Under control growth-light conditions, C4 species had higher CO2 assimilation rates, which declined to a greater extent relative to the C3 species. Whole leaf PSII/PSI ratios were highest in the C3 species, while QY and cyclic electron flow (CEF) were highest in the C4 , NADP-ME species. Shade significantly reduced leaf PSII/PSI, linear electron flow (LEF) and CEF of most species. Overall, shade reduced leaf absorptance, especially in the green region, as well as carotenoid and chlorophyll contents in C4 more than non-C4 species. The NAD-ME species underwent the greatest reduction in leaf absorptance and pigments under shade. In conclusion, shade compromised QY the least in the C3 and the most in the C4 -NAD-ME species. Different sensitivity to shade was associated with the ability to maintain leaf absorptance and pigments. This is important for maximising light absorption and minimising photoprotection under low light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Ver Sagun
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Wah Soon Chow
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Oula Ghannoum
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
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9
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Danila F, Schreiber T, Ermakova M, Hua L, Vlad D, Lo S, Chen Y, Lambret‐Frotte J, Hermanns AS, Athmer B, von Caemmerer S, Yu S, Hibberd JM, Tissier A, Furbank RT, Kelly S, Langdale JA. A single promoter-TALE system for tissue-specific and tuneable expression of multiple genes in rice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:1786-1806. [PMID: 35639605 PMCID: PMC9398400 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In biological discovery and engineering research, there is a need to spatially and/or temporally regulate transgene expression. However, the limited availability of promoter sequences that are uniquely active in specific tissue-types and/or at specific times often precludes co-expression of multiple transgenes in precisely controlled developmental contexts. Here, we developed a system for use in rice that comprises synthetic designer transcription activator-like effectors (dTALEs) and cognate synthetic TALE-activated promoters (STAPs). The system allows multiple transgenes to be expressed from different STAPs, with the spatial and temporal context determined by a single promoter that drives expression of the dTALE. We show that two different systems-dTALE1-STAP1 and dTALE2-STAP2-can activate STAP-driven reporter gene expression in stable transgenic rice lines, with transgene transcript levels dependent on both dTALE and STAP sequence identities. The relative strength of individual STAP sequences is consistent between dTALE1 and dTALE2 systems but differs between cell-types, requiring empirical evaluation in each case. dTALE expression leads to off-target activation of endogenous genes but the number of genes affected is substantially less than the number impacted by the somaclonal variation that occurs during the regeneration of transformed plants. With the potential to design fully orthogonal dTALEs for any genome of interest, the dTALE-STAP system thus provides a powerful approach to fine-tune the expression of multiple transgenes, and to simultaneously introduce different synthetic circuits into distinct developmental contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Danila
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Plant Sciences Division, Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Tom Schreiber
- Department of Cell and Metabolic BiologyLeibniz Institute of Plant BiochemistryHalleGermany
| | - Maria Ermakova
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Plant Sciences Division, Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Lei Hua
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Daniela Vlad
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Shuen‐Fang Lo
- Biotechnology CenterNational Chung Hsing UniversityTaichungTaiwan
| | - Yi‐Shih Chen
- Institute of Molecular BiologyAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | | | - Anna S. Hermanns
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
- Present address:
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant ScienceCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Benedikt Athmer
- Department of Cell and Metabolic BiologyLeibniz Institute of Plant BiochemistryHalleGermany
| | - Susanne von Caemmerer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Plant Sciences Division, Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Su‐May Yu
- Biotechnology CenterNational Chung Hsing UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Institute of Molecular BiologyAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | | | - Alain Tissier
- Department of Cell and Metabolic BiologyLeibniz Institute of Plant BiochemistryHalleGermany
| | - Robert T. Furbank
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Plant Sciences Division, Research School of BiologyAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | - Steven Kelly
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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10
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Bellasio C, Ermakova M. Reduction of bundle sheath size boosts cyclic electron flow in C 4 Setaria viridis acclimated to low light. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:1223-1237. [PMID: 35866447 PMCID: PMC9545969 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
When C4 leaves are exposed to low light, the CO2 concentration in the bundle sheath (BS) cells decreases, causing an increase in photorespiration relative to assimilation, and a consequent reduction in biochemical efficiency. These effects can be mitigated by complex acclimation syndromes, which are of primary importance for crop productivity but are not well studied. We unveil an acclimation strategy involving the coordination of electron transport processes. First, we characterize the anatomy, gas exchange and electron transport of C4 Setaria viridis grown under low light. Through a purposely developed biochemical model, we resolve the photon fluxes and reaction rates to explain how the concerted acclimation strategies sustain photosynthetic efficiency. Our results show that a smaller BS in low-light-grown plants limited leakiness (the ratio of CO2 leak rate out of the BS over the rate of supply via C4 acid decarboxylation) but sacrificed light harvesting and ATP production. To counter ATP shortage and maintain high assimilation rates, plants facilitated light penetration through the mesophyll and upregulated cyclic electron flow in the BS. This shade tolerance mechanism, based on the optimization of light reactions, is possibly more efficient than the known mechanisms involving the rearrangement of carbon metabolism, and could potentially lead to innovative strategies for crop improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Bellasio
- Department of BiologyUniversity of the Balearic Islands07122PalmaIlles BalearsSpain
- Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACT2601Australia
| | - Maria Ermakova
- Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of BiologyThe Australian National UniversityActonACT2601Australia
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11
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Pierroz G. Shady deals: how Setaria viridis compensates for smaller bundle sheaths in low light. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 111:1221-1222. [PMID: 36045544 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
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12
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Israel WK, Watson-Lazowski A, Chen ZH, Ghannoum O. High intrinsic water use efficiency is underpinned by high stomatal aperture and guard cell potassium flux in C3 and C4 grasses grown at glacial CO2 and low light. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2022; 73:1546-1565. [PMID: 34718533 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
We compared how stomatal morphology and physiology control intrinsic leaf water use efficiency (iWUE) in two C3 and six C4 grasses grown at ambient (400 µmol mol-1) or glacial CO2 (180 µmol mol-1) and high (1000 µmol m-2 s-1) or low light intensity (200 µmol m-2 s-1). C4 grasses tended to have higher iWUE and CO2 assimilation rates, and lower stomatal conductance (gs), operational stomatal aperture (aop), and guard cell K+ influx rate relative to C3 grasses, while stomatal size (SS) and stomatal density (SD) did not vary according to the photosynthetic type. Overall, iWUE and gs depended most on aop and density of open stomata. In turn, aop correlated with K+ influx, stomatal opening speed on transition to high light, and SS. Species with higher SD had smaller and faster-opening stomata. Although C4 grasses operated with lower gs and aop at ambient CO2, they showed a greater potential to open stomata relative to maximal stomatal conductance (gmax), indicating heightened stomatal sensitivity and control. We uncovered promising links between aop, gs, iWUE, and K+ influx among C4 grasses, and differential K+ influx responses of C4 guard cells to low light, revealing molecular targets for improving iWUE in C4 crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Krystler Israel
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Australia
| | - Alexander Watson-Lazowski
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Australia
| | - Zhong-Hua Chen
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Oula Ghannoum
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Australia
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13
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Washburn JD, Strable J, Dickinson P, Kothapalli SS, Brose JM, Covshoff S, Conant GC, Hibberd JM, Pires JC. Distinct C 4 sub-types and C 3 bundle sheath isolation in the Paniceae grasses. PLANT DIRECT 2021; 5:e373. [PMID: 34988355 PMCID: PMC8711749 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In C4 plants, the enzymatic machinery underpinning photosynthesis can vary, with, for example, three distinct C4 acid decarboxylases being used to release CO2 in the vicinity of RuBisCO. For decades, these decarboxylases have been used to classify C4 species into three biochemical sub-types. However, more recently, the notion that C4 species mix and match C4 acid decarboxylases has increased in popularity, and as a consequence, the validity of specific biochemical sub-types has been questioned. Using five species from the grass tribe Paniceae, we show that, although in some species transcripts and enzymes involved in multiple C4 acid decarboxylases accumulate, in others, transcript abundance and enzyme activity is almost entirely from one decarboxylase. In addition, the development of a bundle sheath isolation procedure for a close C3 species in the Paniceae enables the preliminary exploration of C4 sub-type evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D. Washburn
- Plant Genetics Research Unit, USDA‐ARSUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMOUSA
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMOUSA
| | - Josh Strable
- Department of Molecular and Structural BiochemistryNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
| | | | | | - Julia M. Brose
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of MissouriColumbiaMOUSA
| | - Sarah Covshoff
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Gavin C. Conant
- Program in Genetics, Bioinformatics Research Center, Department of Biological SciencesNorth Carolina State UniversityRaleighNCUSA
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14
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Xu ZM, Wang JF, Li WL, Wang YF, He T, Wang FP, Lu ZY, Li QS. Nitrogen fertilizer affects rhizosphere Cd re-mobilization by mediating gene AmALM2 and AmALMT7 expression in edible amaranth roots. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 418:126310. [PMID: 34130167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In-situ stabilization of Cd-contaminated farmland is a commonly used remediation technology. Yet, rhizosphere metabolites (e.g., organic acids) during crop cultivation may cause Cd re-mobilization and over-accumulation. Here, we identified four pivotal cytomembrane-localized genes underlying Cd accumulation difference between two contrasting edible amaranth cultivars based on root gene expression profile, studied their subcellular localization and functional characteristics, and then investigated effects of nitrogen fertilizer on their expression and rhizosphere Cd re-mobilization. Results showed that more Cd accumulated by edible amaranth was due to rhizosphere Cd mobilization by mediating high expression of AmALMT2 and AmALMT7 genes, not Cd transporters in roots. This was confirmed by heterologous expression of AmALMT2 and AmALMT7 genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, since they mediated malic, fumaric, succinic, and aspartic acids efflux. Furthermore, nitrogen influencing rhizosphere acidification might be closely associated with organic acids efflux genes. Compared with N-NO3- application, N-NH4+ was massively assimilated into glutamates and oxaloacetates through up-regulating glutamine synthetase and alanine-aspartate-glutamate metabolic pathways, thereby enhancing TCA cycle and organic acids efflux dominated by binary carboxylic acids via up-regulating AmALMT2 and AmALMT7 genes, which finally caused Cd re-mobilization. Therefore, N-NO3--dominated nitrogen retarded rhizosphere Cd re-mobilization via inhibiting organic acids efflux function of AmALMT2 and AmALMT7 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Min Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health of Guangdong Province, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Land Pollution Prevention and Control of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
| | - Jun-Feng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health of Guangdong Province, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wan-Li Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health of Guangdong Province, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yi-Fan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health of Guangdong Province, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Biotechnology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Tao He
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health of Guangdong Province, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Fo-Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health of Guangdong Province, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zi-Yan Lu
- Engineering and Technology Research Center for Agricultural Land Pollution Prevention and Control of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, College of Resources and Environment, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
| | - Qu-Sheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health of Guangdong Province, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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15
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von Caemmerer S. Updating the steady-state model of C4 photosynthesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:6003-6017. [PMID: 34173821 PMCID: PMC8411607 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
C4 plants play a key role in world agriculture. For example, C4 crops such as maize and sorghum are major contributors to food production in both developed and developing countries, and the C4 grasses sugarcane, miscanthus, and switchgrass are major plant sources of bioenergy. In the challenge to manipulate and enhance C4 photosynthesis, steady-state models of leaf photosynthesis provide an important tool for gas exchange analysis and thought experiments that can explore photosynthetic pathway changes. Here a previous C4 photosynthetic model developed by von Caemmerer and Furbank has been updated with new kinetic parameterization and temperature dependencies added. The parameterization was derived from experiments on the C4 monocot, Setaria viridis, which for the first time provides a cohesive parameterization. Mesophyll conductance and its temperature dependence have also been included, as this is an important step in the quantitative correlation between the initial slope of the CO2 response curve of CO2 assimilation and in vitro phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. Furthermore, the equations for chloroplast electron transport have been updated to include cyclic electron transport flow, and equations have been added to calculate the electron transport rate from measured CO2 assimilation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne von Caemmerer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Correspondence:
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16
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von Caemmerer S. Updating the steady-state model of C4 photosynthesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021. [PMID: 34173821 DOI: 10.5061/dryad.zcrjdfnc3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
C4 plants play a key role in world agriculture. For example, C4 crops such as maize and sorghum are major contributors to food production in both developed and developing countries, and the C4 grasses sugarcane, miscanthus, and switchgrass are major plant sources of bioenergy. In the challenge to manipulate and enhance C4 photosynthesis, steady-state models of leaf photosynthesis provide an important tool for gas exchange analysis and thought experiments that can explore photosynthetic pathway changes. Here a previous C4 photosynthetic model developed by von Caemmerer and Furbank has been updated with new kinetic parameterization and temperature dependencies added. The parameterization was derived from experiments on the C4 monocot, Setaria viridis, which for the first time provides a cohesive parameterization. Mesophyll conductance and its temperature dependence have also been included, as this is an important step in the quantitative correlation between the initial slope of the CO2 response curve of CO2 assimilation and in vitro phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. Furthermore, the equations for chloroplast electron transport have been updated to include cyclic electron transport flow, and equations have been added to calculate the electron transport rate from measured CO2 assimilation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne von Caemmerer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Division of Plant Sciences, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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17
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Sagun JV, Badger MR, Chow WS, Ghannoum O. Mehler reaction plays a role in C 3 and C 4 photosynthesis under shade and low CO 2. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2021; 149:171-185. [PMID: 33534052 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-021-00819-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Alternative electron fluxes such as the cyclic electron flux (CEF) around photosystem I (PSI) and Mehler reaction (Me) are essential for efficient photosynthesis because they generate additional ATP and protect both photosystems against photoinhibition. The capacity for Me can be estimated by measuring O2 exchange rate under varying irradiance and CO2 concentration. In this study, mass spectrometric measurements of O2 exchange were made using leaves of representative species of C3 and C4 grasses grown under natural light (control; PAR ~ 800 µmol quanta m-2 s-1) and shade (~ 300 µmol quanta m-2 s-1), and in representative species of gymnosperm, liverwort and fern grown under natural light. For all control grown plants measured at high CO2, O2 uptake rates were similar between the light and dark, and the ratio of Rubisco oxygenation to carboxylation (Vo/Vc) was low, which suggests little potential for Me, and that O2 uptake was mainly due to photorespiration or mitochondrial respiration under these conditions. Low CO2 stimulated O2 uptake in the light, Vo/Vc and Me in all species. The C3 species had similar Vo/Vc, but Me was highest in the grass and lowest in the fern. Among the C4 grasses, shade increased O2 uptake in the light, Vo/Vc and the assimilation quotient (AQ), particularly at low CO2, whilst Me was only substantial at low CO2 where it may contribute 20-50% of maximum electron flow under high light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Ver Sagun
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Murray R Badger
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Wah Soon Chow
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Oula Ghannoum
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
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18
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Jaikumar NS, Stutz SS, Fernandes SB, Leakey ADB, Bernacchi CJ, Brown PJ, Long SP. Can improved canopy light transmission ameliorate loss of photosynthetic efficiency in the shade? An investigation of natural variation in Sorghum bicolor. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2021; 72:4965-4980. [PMID: 33914063 PMCID: PMC8219039 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erab176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have found that maximum quantum yield of CO2 assimilation (Φ CO2,max,app) declines in lower canopies of maize and miscanthus, a maladaptive response to self-shading. These observations were limited to single genotypes, leaving it unclear whether the maladaptive shade response is a general property of this C4 grass tribe, the Andropogoneae. We explored the generality of this maladaptation by testing the hypothesis that erect leaf forms (erectophiles), which allow more light into the lower canopy, suffer less of a decline in photosynthetic efficiency than drooping leaf (planophile) forms. On average, Φ CO2,max,app declined 27% in lower canopy leaves across 35 accessions, but the decline was over twice as great in planophiles than in erectophiles. The loss of photosynthetic efficiency involved a decoupling between electron transport and assimilation. This was not associated with increased bundle sheath leakage, based on 13C measurements. In both planophiles and erectophiles, shaded leaves had greater leaf absorptivity and lower activities of key C4 enzymes than sun leaves. The erectophile form is considered more productive because it allows a more effective distribution of light through the canopy to support photosynthesis. We show that in sorghum, it provides a second benefit, maintenance of higher Φ CO2,max,app to support efficient use of that light resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil S Jaikumar
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Samantha S Stutz
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Samuel B Fernandes
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Andrew D B Leakey
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Carl J Bernacchi
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- USDA ARS Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Patrick J Brown
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Stephen P Long
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Lancaster Environment Centre, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
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19
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Formation of Proto-Kranz in C3 Rice Induced by Spike-Stalk Injection Method. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094305. [PMID: 33919137 PMCID: PMC8122280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction of C4 photosynthetic traits into C3 crops is an important strategy for improving photosynthetic capacity and productivity. Here, we report the research results of a variant line of sorghum-rice (SR) plant with big panicle and high spikelet density by introducing sorghum genome DNA into rice by spike-stalk injection. The whole-genome resequencing showed that a few sorghum genes could be integrated into the rice genome. Gene expression was confirmed for two C4 photosynthetic enzymes containing pyruvate, orthophosphate dikinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Exogenous sorghum DNA integration induced a series of key traits associated with the C4 pathway called "proto-Kranz" anatomy, including leaf thickness, bundle sheath number and size, and chloroplast size in bundle sheath cells. Significantly, transgenic plants exhibited enhanced photosynthetic capacity resulting from both photosynthetic CO2-concentrating effect and improved energy balance, which led to an increase in carbohydrate levels and productivity. Furthermore, such rice plant exhibited delayed leaf senescence. In summary, this study provides a proof for the feasibility of inducing the transition from C3 leaf anatomy to proto-Kranz by spike-stalk injection to achieve efficient photosynthesis and increase productivity.
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20
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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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21
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Sonawane BV, Cousins AB. Mesophyll CO 2 conductance and leakiness are not responsive to short- and long-term soil water limitations in the C 4 plant Sorghum bicolor. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 103:1590-1602. [PMID: 32438487 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Breeding economically important C4 crops for enhanced whole-plant water-use efficiency (WUEplant ) is needed for sustainable agriculture. WUEplant is a complex trait and an efficient phenotyping method that reports on components of WUEplant , such as intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUEi , the rate of leaf CO2 assimilation relative to water loss via stomatal conductance), is needed. In C4 plants, theoretical models suggest that leaf carbon isotope composition (δ13 C), when the efficiency of the CO2 -concentrating mechanism (leakiness, ϕ) remains constant, can be used to screen for WUEi . The limited information about how ϕ responds to water limitations confines the application of δ13 C for WUEi screening of C4 crops. The current research aimed to test the response of ϕ to short- or long-term moderate water limitations, and the relationship of δ13 C with WUEi and WUEplant , by addressing potential mesophyll CO2 conductance (gm ) and biochemical limitations in the C4 plant Sorghum bicolor. We demonstrate that gm and ϕ are not responsive to short- or long-term water limitations. Additionally, δ13 C was not correlated with gas-exchange estimates of WUEi under short- and long-term water limitations, but showed a significant negative relationship with WUEplant . The observed association between the δ13 C and WUEplant suggests an intrinsic link of δ13 C with WUEi in this C4 plant, and can potentially be used as a screening tool for WUEplant in sorghum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balasaheb V Sonawane
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - Asaph B Cousins
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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22
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Tao Y, George-Jaeggli B, Bouteillé-Pallas M, Tai S, Cruickshank A, Jordan D, Mace E. Genetic Diversity of C 4 Photosynthesis Pathway Genes in Sorghum bicolor (L.). Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:E806. [PMID: 32708598 PMCID: PMC7397294 DOI: 10.3390/genes11070806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
C4 photosynthesis has evolved in over 60 different plant taxa and is an excellent example of convergent evolution. Plants using the C4 photosynthetic pathway have an efficiency advantage, particularly in hot and dry environments. They account for 23% of global primary production and include some of our most productive cereals. While previous genetic studies comparing phylogenetically related C3 and C4 species have elucidated the genetic diversity underpinning the C4 photosynthetic pathway, no previous studies have described the genetic diversity of the genes involved in this pathway within a C4 crop species. Enhanced understanding of the allelic diversity and selection signatures of genes in this pathway may present opportunities to improve photosynthetic efficiency, and ultimately yield, by exploiting natural variation. Here, we present the first genetic diversity survey of 8 known C4 gene families in an important C4 crop, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, using sequence data of 48 genotypes covering wild and domesticated sorghum accessions. Average nucleotide diversity of C4 gene families varied more than 20-fold from the NADP-malate dehydrogenase (MDH) gene family (θπ = 0.2 × 10-3) to the pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) gene family (θπ = 5.21 × 10-3). Genetic diversity of C4 genes was reduced by 22.43% in cultivated sorghum compared to wild and weedy sorghum, indicating that the group of wild and weedy sorghum may constitute an untapped reservoir for alleles related to the C4 photosynthetic pathway. A SNP-level analysis identified purifying selection signals on C4 PPDK and carbonic anhydrase (CA) genes, and balancing selection signals on C4 PPDK-regulatory protein (RP) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) genes. Allelic distribution of these C4 genes was consistent with selection signals detected. A better understanding of the genetic diversity of C4 pathway in sorghum paves the way for mining the natural allelic variation for the improvement of photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfu Tao
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Hermitage Research Facility, Warwick, QLD 4370, Australia; (Y.T.); (B.G.-J.); (M.B.-P.); (D.J.)
| | - Barbara George-Jaeggli
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Hermitage Research Facility, Warwick, QLD 4370, Australia; (Y.T.); (B.G.-J.); (M.B.-P.); (D.J.)
- Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Hermitage Research Facility, Warwick, QLD 4370, Australia;
| | - Marie Bouteillé-Pallas
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Hermitage Research Facility, Warwick, QLD 4370, Australia; (Y.T.); (B.G.-J.); (M.B.-P.); (D.J.)
| | | | - Alan Cruickshank
- Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Hermitage Research Facility, Warwick, QLD 4370, Australia;
| | - David Jordan
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Hermitage Research Facility, Warwick, QLD 4370, Australia; (Y.T.); (B.G.-J.); (M.B.-P.); (D.J.)
| | - Emma Mace
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Hermitage Research Facility, Warwick, QLD 4370, Australia; (Y.T.); (B.G.-J.); (M.B.-P.); (D.J.)
- Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Hermitage Research Facility, Warwick, QLD 4370, Australia;
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23
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Ellsworth PZ, Feldman MJ, Baxter I, Cousins AB. A genetic link between leaf carbon isotope composition and whole-plant water use efficiency in the C 4 grass Setaria. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 102:1234-1248. [PMID: 31968138 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Genetic selection for whole-plant water use efficiency (yield per transpiration; WUEplant ) in any crop-breeding programme requires high-throughput phenotyping of component traits of WUEplant such as intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi ; CO2 assimilation rate per stomatal conductance). Measuring WUEi by gas exchange measurements is laborious and time consuming and may not reflect an integrated WUEi over the life of the leaf. Alternatively, leaf carbon stable isotope composition (δ13 Cleaf ) has been suggested as a potential time-integrated proxy for WUEi that may provide a tool to screen for WUEplant . However, a genetic link between δ13 Cleaf and WUEplant in a C4 species has not been well established. Therefore, to determine if there is a genetic relationship in a C4 plant between δ13 Cleaf and WUEplant under well watered and water-limited growth conditions, a high-throughput phenotyping facility was used to measure WUEplant in a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population created between the C4 grasses Setaria viridis and S. italica. Three quantitative trait loci (QTL) for δ13 Cleaf were found and co-localized with transpiration, biomass accumulation, and WUEplant . Additionally, WUEplant for each of the δ13 Cleaf QTL allele classes was negatively correlated with δ13 Cleaf , as would be predicted when WUEi influences WUEplant . These results demonstrate that δ13 Cleaf is genetically linked to WUEplant , likely to be through their relationship with WUEi , and can be used as a high-throughput proxy to screen for WUEplant in these C4 species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Z Ellsworth
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Max J Feldman
- Donald Danforth Plant Sciences Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ivan Baxter
- Donald Danforth Plant Sciences Center, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Asaph B Cousins
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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24
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Abstract
C4 photosynthesis evolved multiple times independently from ancestral C3 photosynthesis in a broad range of flowering land plant families and in both monocots and dicots. The evolution of C4 photosynthesis entails the recruitment of enzyme activities that are not involved in photosynthetic carbon fixation in C3 plants to photosynthesis. This requires a different regulation of gene expression as well as a different regulation of enzyme activities in comparison to the C3 context. Further, C4 photosynthesis relies on a distinct leaf anatomy that differs from that of C3, requiring a differential regulation of leaf development in C4. We summarize recent progress in the understanding of C4-specific features in evolution and metabolic regulation in the context of C4 photosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urte Schlüter
- Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; ,
| | - Andreas P M Weber
- Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS), Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; ,
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25
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Shi W, Yue L, Guo J, Wang J, Yuan X, Dong S, Guo J, Guo P. Identification and evolution of C 4 photosynthetic pathway genes in plants. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2020; 20:132. [PMID: 32228460 PMCID: PMC7106689 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-020-02339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND NADP-malic enzyme (NAPD-ME), and pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) are important enzymes that participate in C4 photosynthesis. However, the evolutionary history and forces driving evolution of these genes in C4 plants are not completely understood. RESULTS We identified 162 NADP-ME and 35 PPDK genes in 25 species and constructed respective phylogenetic trees. We classified NADP-ME genes into four branches, A1, A2, B1 and B2, whereas PPDK was classified into two branches in which monocots were in branch I and dicots were in branch II. Analyses of selective pressure on the NAPD-ME and PPDK gene families identified four positively selected sites, including 94H and 196H in the a5 branch of NADP-ME, and 95A and 559E in the e branch of PPDK at posterior probability thresholds of 95%. The positively selected sites were located in the helix and sheet regions. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses revealed that expression levels of 6 NADP-ME and 2 PPDK genes from foxtail millet were up-regulated after exposure to light. CONCLUSION This study revealed that positively selected sites of NADP-ME and PPDK evolution in C4 plants. It provides information on the classification and positive selection of plant NADP-ME and PPDK genes, and the results should be useful in further research on the evolutionary history of C4 plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Shi
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Linqi Yue
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Jiahui Guo
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Jianming Wang
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Xiangyang Yuan
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Shuqi Dong
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Jie Guo
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China.
| | - Pingyi Guo
- College of Agronomy, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China.
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26
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Watson-Lazowski A, Papanicolaou A, Koller F, Ghannoum O. The transcriptomic responses of C 4 grasses to subambient CO 2 and low light are largely species specific and only refined by photosynthetic subtype. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 101:1170-1184. [PMID: 31651067 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.14583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Three subtypes of C4 photosynthesis exist (NADP-ME, NAD-ME and PEPCK), each known to be beneficial under specific environmental conditions. However, the influence of photosynthetic subtype on transcriptomic plasticity, as well as the genes underpinning this variability, remain largely unknown. Here, we comprehensively investigate the responses of six C4 grass species, spanning all three C4 subtypes, to two controlled environmental stresses: low light (200 µmol m-2 sec-1 ) and glacial CO2 (subambient; 180 ppm). We identify a susceptibility within NADP-ME species to glacial CO2 . Notably, although glacial CO2 phenotypes could be tied to C4 subtype, biochemical and transcriptomic responses to glacial CO2 were largely species specific. Nevertheless, we were able to identify subtype specific subsets of significantly differentially expressed transcripts which link resource acquisition and allocation to NADP-ME species susceptibility to glacial CO2 . Here, low light phenotypes were comparable across species with no clear subtype response, while again, transcriptomic responses to low light were largely species specific. However, numerous functional similarities were noted within the transcriptomic responses to low light, suggesting these responses are functionally relatively conserved. Additionally, PEPCK species exhibited heightened regulation of transcripts related to metabolism in response to both stresses, likely tied to their C4 metabolic pathway. These results highlight the influence that both species and subtype can have on plant responses to abiotic stress, building on our mechanistic understanding of acclimation within C4 grasses and highlighting avenues for future crop improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Watson-Lazowski
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Canberra, Australia
| | - Alexie Papanicolaou
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Canberra, Australia
| | - Fiona Koller
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Canberra, Australia
| | - Oula Ghannoum
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Canberra, Australia
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27
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Collison RF, Raven EC, Pignon CP, Long SP. Light, Not Age, Underlies the Maladaptation of Maize and Miscanthus Photosynthesis to Self-Shading. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:783. [PMID: 32733493 PMCID: PMC7358635 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Zea mays and Miscanthus × giganteus use NADP-ME subtype C4 photosynthesis and are important food and biomass crops, respectively. Both crops are grown in dense stands where shaded leaves can contribute a significant proportion of overall canopy productivity. This is because shaded leaves, despite intercepting little light, typically process light energy very efficiently for photosynthesis, when compared to light-saturated leaves at the top of the canopy. However, an apparently maladaptive loss in photosynthetic light-use efficiency as leaves become shaded has been shown to reduce productivity in these two species. It is unclear whether this is due to leaf aging or progressive shading from leaves forming above. This was resolved here by analysing photosynthesis in leaves of the same chronological age in the centre and exposed southern edge of field plots of these crops. Photosynthetic light-response curves were used to assess maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis; the key measure of photosynthetic capacity of a leaf in shade. Compared to the upper canopy, maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis of lower canopy leaves was significantly reduced in the plot centre; but increased slightly at the plot edge. This indicates loss of efficiency of shaded leaves is due not to aging, but to the altered light environment of the lower canopy, i.e., reduced light intensity and/or altered spectral composition. This work expands knowledge of the cause of this maladaptive shade response, which limits productivity of some of the world's most important crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F. Collison
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Emma C. Raven
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Charles P. Pignon
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Stephen P. Long
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, United States
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Stephen P. Long,
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28
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Blätke MA, Bräutigam A. Evolution of C4 photosynthesis predicted by constraint-based modelling. eLife 2019; 8:e49305. [PMID: 31799932 PMCID: PMC6905489 DOI: 10.7554/elife.49305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Constraint-based modelling (CBM) is a powerful tool for the analysis of evolutionary trajectories. Evolution, especially evolution in the distant past, is not easily accessible to laboratory experimentation. Modelling can provide a window into evolutionary processes by allowing the examination of selective pressures which lead to particular optimal solutions in the model. To study the evolution of C4 photosynthesis from a ground state of C3 photosynthesis, we initially construct a C3 model. After duplication into two cells to reflect typical C4 leaf architecture, we allow the model to predict the optimal metabolic solution under various conditions. The model thus identifies resource limitation in conjunction with high photorespiratory flux as a selective pressure relevant to the evolution of C4. It also predicts that light availability and distribution play a role in guiding the evolutionary choice of possible decarboxylation enzymes. The data shows evolutionary CBM in eukaryotes predicts molecular evolution with precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary-Ann Blätke
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)GaterslebenGermany
| | - Andrea Bräutigam
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)GaterslebenGermany
- Computational Biology, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, UniversitätsstraßeBielefeldGermany
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29
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Sagun JV, Badger MR, Chow WS, Ghannoum O. Cyclic electron flow and light partitioning between the two photosystems in leaves of plants with different functional types. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2019; 142:321-334. [PMID: 31520186 PMCID: PMC6874625 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-019-00666-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic electron flow (CEF) around photosystem I (PSI) is essential for generating additional ATP and enhancing efficient photosynthesis. Accurate estimation of CEF requires knowledge of the fractions of absorbed light by PSI (fI) and PSII (fII), which are only known for a few model species such as spinach. No measures of fI are available for C4 grasses under different irradiances. We developed a new method to estimate (1) fII in vivo by concurrently measuring linear electron flux through both photosystems [Formula: see text] in leaf using membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) and total electron flux through PSII (ETR2) using chlorophyll fluorescence by a Dual-PAM at low light and (2) CEF as ETR1-[Formula: see text]. For a C3 grass, fI was 0.5 and 0.4 under control (high light) and shade conditions, respectively. C4 species belonging to NADP-ME and NAD-ME subtypes had fI of 0.6 and PCK subtype had 0.5 under control. All shade-grown C4 species had fI of 0.6 except for NADP-ME grass which had 0.7. It was also observed that fI ranged between 0.3 and 0.5 for gymnosperm, liverwort and fern species. CEF increased with irradiance and was induced at lower irradiances in C4 grasses and fern relative to other species. CEF was greater in shade-grown plants relative to control plants except for C4 NADP-ME species. Our study reveals a range of CEF and fI values in different plant functional groups. This variation must be taken into account for improved photosynthetic calculations and modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Ver Sagun
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751 Australia
| | - Murray R. Badger
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Wah Soon Chow
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Oula Ghannoum
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751 Australia
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30
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Danila FR, Quick WP, White RG, von Caemmerer S, Furbank RT. Response of plasmodesmata formation in leaves of C 4 grasses to growth irradiance. PLANT, CELL & ENVIRONMENT 2019; 42:2482-2494. [PMID: 30965390 DOI: 10.1111/pce.13558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Rapid metabolite diffusion across the mesophyll (M) and bundle sheath (BS) cell interface in C4 leaves is a key requirement for C4 photosynthesis and occurs via plasmodesmata (PD). Here, we investigated how growth irradiance affects PD density between M and BS cells and between M cells in two C4 species using our PD quantification method, which combines three-dimensional laser confocal fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The response of leaf anatomy and physiology of NADP-ME species, Setaria viridis and Zea mays to growth under different irradiances, low light (100 μmol m-2 s-1 ), and high light (1,000 μmol m-2 s-1 ), was observed both at seedling and established growth stages. We found that the effect of growth irradiance on C4 leaf PD density depended on plant age and species. The high light treatment resulted in two to four-fold greater PD density per unit leaf area than at low light, due to greater area of PD clusters and greater PD size in high light plants. These results along with our finding that the effect of light on M-BS PD density was not tightly linked to photosynthetic capacity suggest a complex mechanism underlying the dynamic response of C4 leaf PD formation to growth irradiance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence R Danila
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
| | - William Paul Quick
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
- International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Laguna, 4030, Philippines
- University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Rosemary G White
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
| | - Susanne von Caemmerer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
| | - Robert T Furbank
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
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31
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Hernández-Prieto MA, Foster C, Watson-Lazowski A, Ghannoum O, Chen M. Comparative analysis of thylakoid protein complexes in the mesophyll and bundle sheath cells from C 3 , C 4 and C 3 -C 4 Paniceae grasses. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2019; 166:134-147. [PMID: 30838662 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To better understand the coordination between dark and light reactions during the transition from C3 to C4 photosynthesis, we optimized a method for separating thylakoids from mesophyll (MC) and bundle sheath cells (BSCs) across different plant species. We grew six Paniceae grasses including representatives from the C3 , C3 -C4 and C4 photosynthetic types and all three C4 biochemical subtypes [nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent malic enzyme (NAD-ME) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK)] in addition to Zea mays under control conditions (1000 μmol quanta m-2 s-1 and 400 ppm of CO2 ). Proteomics analysis of thylakoids under native conditions, using blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), demonstrated the presence of subunits of all light-reaction-related complexes in all species and cell types. C4 NADP-ME species showed a higher photosystems I/II ratio and a clear accumulation of the NADH dehydrogenase-like complexes in BSCs, while Cytb6 f was more abundant in BSCs of C4 NAD-ME species. The C4 PEPCK species showed no clear differences between cell types. Our study presents, for the first time, a good separation between BSC and MC for a C3 -C4 intermediate grass which did not show noticeable differences in the distribution of the thylakoid complexes. For the NADP-ME species Panicum antidotale, growth at glacial CO2 (180 ppm of CO2 ) had no effect on the distribution of the light-reaction complexes, while growth at low light (200 μmol quanta m-2 s-1 ) promoted the accumulation of light-harvesting proteins in both cell types. These results add to our understanding of thylakoid distribution across photosynthetic types and subtypes, and introduce thylakoid distribution between the MC and BSC of a C3 -C4 intermediate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Hernández-Prieto
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, Australia
| | - Christie Foster
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, 2751, Australia
| | - Alexander Watson-Lazowski
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, 2751, Australia
| | - Oula Ghannoum
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, 2751, Australia
| | - Min Chen
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, Australia
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32
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Cui X, Cen H, Guan C, Tian D, Liu H, Zhang Y. Photosynthesis capacity diversified by leaf structural and physiological regulation between upland and lowland switchgrass in different growth stages. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2019; 47:38-49. [PMID: 31578165 DOI: 10.1071/fp19086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding and enhancing switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) photosynthesis will help to improve yield and quality for bio-industrial applications on cellulosic biofuel production. In the present study, leaf anatomical traits and physiological characteristics related to photosynthetic capacity of both lowland and upland switchgrass were recorded from four varieties across the vegetative, elongation and reproductive growth stages. Compared with the upland varieties, the lowland switchgrass showed 37-59, 22-64 and 27-73% higher performance on height, stem and leaf over all three growth stages. Leaf anatomical traits indicated that the leaves of lowland varieties provided more space for carbon assimilation and transportation caused by enhanced cell proliferation with more bundles sheath cells and larger contact areas between the bundle sheath and mesophyll cells (CAMB), which lead to the 32-72% higher photosynthetic capacity found in the lowland varieties during vegetative and elongation growth. However, photosynthetic capacity became 22-51% higher in the upland varieties during the reproductive stage, which is attributed to more photosynthetic pigment. In conclusion, lowland varieties gain a photosynthetic advantage with enhanced bundle sheath cell proliferation, while the upland varieties preserved more photosynthetic pigments. Our study provides new insights for improving the yield in crops by enhancing photosynthesis with anatomical and physiological strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Cui
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Huifang Cen
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Cong Guan
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Danyang Tian
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Huayue Liu
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yunwei Zhang
- College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; and Corresponding author.
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