Unveiling the role of NADP-ME and NAD-ME in C4 photosynthesis of Setaria and Panicum

CALACE, P.; GERRARD WHEELER, M. C.; SAIGO, M.

Rosario

Congreso; XXXIV RAFV; 2023

Sociedad Argentina de Fisiología Vegetal

Understanding the functioning of C4 photosynthesis is of vital importance due to the impact of climate change and the need to improve the efficiency of carbon fixation in plants. In the context of this work, closely related species, Setaria viridis and Panicum virgatum, which belong to different subtypes of C4 photosynthesis, named NADP-ME and NAD-ME, were investigated.In order to better understand the role of NADP-ME and NAD-ME isoforms in C4 photosynthesis, an integrative analysis was performed combining kinetic and regulatory studies with proteomics in both subtypes. A comparison of the proteomes of mesophyll and bundle sheath cells in both Setaria and Panicum was carried out, and these data were related to transcriptomic information from these species and other widely studied nearby species, such as maize. In both S. viridis and P. virgatum, evidence was found for the combined involvement of both decarboxylase enzymes in the process of C4 photosynthesis. This finding is of great relevance for understanding and optimising metabolism, and raises the need to further investigate the conditions under which these pathways coexist in both plants.In summary, this work highlights the importance of studying C4 photosynthesis in the context of climate change, focusing on the relationship between S. viridis and P. virgatum species, which, although closely related, belong to different subtypes of C4 photosynthesis (NADP-ME and NAD-ME). The findings obtained provide valuable information on C4 metabolism and open new research perspectives in this field.