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1.
Plant Sci ; 342: 112031, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38346562

ABSTRACT

Considering the current climate change scenario, the development of heat-tolerant rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) is paramount for cultivation in waterlogged systems affected by iron (Fe) excess. The objective of this work was to investigate the physiological basis of tolerance to excess Fe in rice cultivars that would maintain photosynthetic efficiency at higher temperatures. In an experimental approach, two rice cultivars (IRGA424 - tolerant and IRGA417- susceptible to Fe toxicity) were exposed to two concentrations of FeSO4-EDTA, control (0.019 mM) and excess Fe (7 mM) and subsequent exposition to heatwaves at different temperatures (25 °C - control, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 °C). The increase in temperatures resulted in a higher Fe concentration in shoots accompanied by a lower Rubisco carboxylation rate in both cultivars, but with lower damage in the tolerant one. Stomatal limitation only occurred as a late response to Fe toxicity, especially in the sensitive cultivar. The activation of photorespiration as electron sink under Fe excess with increasing temperature during heatwaves appear as a major mechanism to alleviate oxidative stress in cultivars tolerant to excess Fe. The tolerance to iron toxicity and heat stress is associated with increased photoprotective mechanisms driving non-photochemical dissipation.


Subject(s)
Iron , Oryza , Oryza/physiology , Photosynthesis/physiology , Oxidative Stress
2.
Physiol Plant ; 175(5): e14043, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37882284

ABSTRACT

Allopolyploidy is a common speciation mechanism in plants; however, its physiological and ecological consequences in niche partitioning have been scarcely studied. In this sense, leaf traits are good proxies to study the adaptive capacity of allopolyploids and diploid parents to their respective environmental conditions. In the present work, leaf water relations (assessed through pressure-volume curves) and structural and anatomical traits of the allotetraploid fern Oeosporangium tinaei and its diploid parents, Oeosporangium hispanicum and Oeosporangium pteridioides, were studied under controlled conditions in response to a water stress (WS) cycle. O. hispanicum showed the lowest osmotic potential at turgor loss point (πtlp ) and leaf capacitance, together with higher leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf thickness (LT), leaf density (LD), and leaf dry matter content (LDMC), whereas O. pteridioides presented the opposite set of traits (high πtlp and capacitance, and low LMA, LT, LD, and LDMC). O. tinaei showed an intermediate position for most of the studied traits. The responsiveness (osmotic and elastic adjustments) to WS was low, although most of the traits explained the segregation of the three species across a range of drought tolerance according to the rank: O. hispanicum > O. tinaei > O. pteridioides. These trait differences may underlie the niche segregation among coexisting populations of the three species in the Mediterranean basin.


Subject(s)
Ferns , Ferns/genetics , Diploidy , Plant Leaves/genetics , Plants , Drought Resistance , Dehydration , Droughts
3.
Plants (Basel) ; 12(7)2023 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37050155

ABSTRACT

Theoretically, the coexistence of diploids and related polyploids is constrained by reproductive and competitive mechanisms. Although niche differentiation can explain the commonly observed co-occurrence of cytotypes, the underlying ecophysiological differentiation among cytotypes has hardly been studied. We compared the leaf functional traits of the allotetraploid resurrection fern Oeosporangium tinaei (HHPP) and its diploid parents, O. hispanicum (HH) and O. pteridioides (PP), coexisting in the same location. Our experimental results showed that all three species can recover physiological status after severe leaf dehydration, which confirms their 'resurrection' ability. However, compared with PP, HH had much higher investment per unit area of light-capturing surface, lower carbon assimilation rate per unit mass for the same midday water potential, higher non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity, higher carbon content, and lower contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other macronutrients. These traits allow HH to live in microhabitats with less availability of water and nutrients (rock crevices) and to have a greater capacity for resurrection. The higher assimilation capacity and lower antioxidant capacity of PP explain its more humid and nutrient-rich microhabitats (shallow soils). HHPP traits were mostly intermediate between those of HH and PP, and they allow the allotetraploid to occupy the free niche space left by the diploids.

4.
J Exp Bot ; 74(8): 2620-2637, 2023 04 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36880307

ABSTRACT

Deschampsia antarctica is one of the only two native vascular plants in Antarctica, mostly located in the ice-free areas of the Peninsula's coast and adjacent islands. This region is characterized by a short growing season, frequent extreme climatic events, and soils with reduced nutrient availability. However, it is unknown whether its photosynthetic and stress tolerance mechanisms are affected by the availability of nutrients to deal with this particular environment. We studied the photosynthetic, primary metabolic, and stress tolerance performance of D. antarctica plants growing on three close sites (<500 m) with contrasting soil nutrient conditions. Plants from all sites showed similar photosynthetic rates, but mesophyll conductance and photobiochemistry were more limiting (~25%) in plants growing on low-nutrient availability soils. Additionally, these plants showed higher stress levels and larger investments in photoprotection and carbon pools, most probably driven by the need to stabilize proteins and membranes, and remodel cell walls. In contrast, when nutrients were readily available, plants shifted their carbon investment towards amino acids related to osmoprotection, growth, antioxidants, and polyamines, leading to vigorous plants without appreciable levels of stress. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that D. antarctica displays differential physiological performances to cope with adverse conditions depending on resource availability, allowing it to maximize stress tolerance without jeopardizing photosynthetic capacity.


Subject(s)
Nutrients , Photosynthesis , Soil , Carbon
5.
Plant Cell Environ ; 45(2): 296-311, 2022 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34800300

ABSTRACT

Recent results suggest that metabolism-mediated stomatal closure mechanisms are important to regulate differentially the stomatal speediness between ferns and angiosperms. However, evidence directly linking mesophyll metabolism and the slower stomatal conductance (gs ) in ferns is missing. Here, we investigated the effect of exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA), sucrose and mannitol on stomatal kinetics and carried out a metabolic fingerprinting analysis of ferns and angiosperms leaves harvested throughout a diel course. Fern stomata did not respond to ABA in the time period analysed. No differences in the relative decrease in gs was observed between ferns and the angiosperm following provision of sucrose or mannitol. However, ferns have slower gs responses to these compounds than angiosperms. Metabolomics analysis highlights that ferns have a higher accumulation of secondary rather than primary metabolites throughout the diel course, with the opposite being observed in angiosperms. Our results indicate that metabolism-mediated stomatal closure mechanisms underpin the differential stomatal speediness regulation among ferns and angiosperms, in which the slower stomatal closure in ferns is associated with the lack of ABA-responsiveness, to a reduced capacity to respond to mesophyll-derived sucrose and to a higher carbon allocation toward secondary metabolism, which likely modulates both photosynthesis-gs and growth-stress tolerance trade-offs.


Subject(s)
Abscisic Acid/pharmacology , Ferns/physiology , Magnoliopsida/physiology , Mannitol/pharmacology , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Plant Stomata/physiology , Sucrose/pharmacology , Ferns/metabolism , Kinetics , Magnoliopsida/metabolism
6.
Front Plant Sci ; 12: 752795, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34804092

ABSTRACT

The alternative oxidase pathway (AOP) is associated with excess energy dissipation in leaves of terrestrial plants. To address whether this association is less important in palustrine plants, we compared the role of AOP in balancing energy and carbon metabolism in palustrine and terrestrial environments by identifying metabolic relationships between primary carbon metabolites and AOP in each habitat. We measured oxygen isotope discrimination during respiration, gas exchange, and metabolite profiles in aerial leaves of ten fern and angiosperm species belonging to five families organized as pairs of palustrine and terrestrial species. We performed a partial least square model combined with variable importance for projection to reveal relationships between the electron partitioning to the AOP (τa) and metabolite levels. Terrestrial plants showed higher values of net photosynthesis (AN) and τa, together with stronger metabolic relationships between τa and sugars, important for water conservation. Palustrine plants showed relationships between τa and metabolites related to the shikimate pathway and the GABA shunt, to be important for heterophylly. Excess energy dissipation via AOX is less crucial in palustrine environments than on land. The basis of this difference resides in the contrasting photosynthetic performance observed in each environment, thus reinforcing the importance of AOP for photosynthesis.

7.
J Exp Bot ; 72(11): 3971-3986, 2021 05 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33780533

ABSTRACT

The key role of cell walls in setting mesophyll conductance to CO2 (gm) and, consequently, photosynthesis is reviewed. First, the theoretical properties of cell walls that can affect gm are presented. Then, we focus on cell wall thickness (Tcw) reviewing empirical evidence showing that Tcw varies strongly among species and phylogenetic groups in a way that correlates with gm and photosynthesis; that is, the thicker the mesophyll cell walls, the lower the gm and photosynthesis. Potential interplays of gm, Tcw, dehydration tolerance, and hydraulic properties of leaves are also discussed. Dynamic variations of Tcw in response to the environment and their implications in the regulation of photosynthesis are discussed, and recent evidence suggesting an influence of cell wall composition on gm is presented. We then propose a hypothetical mechanism for the influence of cell walls on photosynthesis, combining the effects of thickness and composition, particularly pectins. Finally, we discuss the prospects for using biotechnology for enhancing photosynthesis by altering cell wall-related genes.


Subject(s)
Carbon Dioxide , Photosynthesis , Carbon Dioxide/metabolism , Cell Wall/metabolism , Mesophyll Cells , Phylogeny , Plant Leaves
8.
Front Plant Sci ; 11: 794, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32595679

ABSTRACT

Enhanced photosynthesis is strictly associated with to productivity and it can be accomplished by genetic approaches through identification of genetic variation. By using a Solanum pennellii introgression lines (ILs) population, it was previously verified that, under normal (CO2), IL 2-5 and 2-6 display increased photosynthetic rates by up to 20% in comparison with their parental background (M82). However, the physiological mechanisms involved in the enhanced CO2 assimilation exhibited by these lines remained unknown, precluding their use for further biotechnological applications. Thereby, here we attempted to uncover the physiological factors involved in the upregulation of photosynthesis in ILs 2-5 and 2-6 under normal (CO2) as well as under elevated (CO2). The results provide evidence for increased biochemical capacity (higher maximum carboxylation velocity and maximum electron transport rate) in plants from IL 2-5 and 2-6, whereas the diffusive components (stomatal and mesophyll conductances) were unaltered in these ILs in comparison to M82. Our analyses revealed that the higher photosynthetic rate observed in these ILs was associated with higher levels of starch as well as total protein levels, specially increased RuBisCO content. Further analyses performed in plants under high (CO2) confirmed that biochemical properties are involved in genetic variation on chromosome 2 related to enhanced photosynthesis.

9.
Plant J ; 103(4): 1372-1385, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32390169

ABSTRACT

Cell wall thickness is widely recognized as one of the main determinants of mesophyll conductance to CO2 (gm ). However, little is known about the components that regulate effective CO2 diffusivity in the cell wall (i.e. the ratio between actual porosity and tortuosity, the other two biophysical diffusion properties of cell walls). The aim of this study was to assess, at the interspecific level, potential relationships between cell wall composition, cell wall thickness (Tcw ) and gm . Gymnosperms constitute an ideal group to deepen these relationships, as they present, on average, the thickest cell walls within spermatophytes. We characterized the foliar gas exchange, the morphoanatomical traits related with gm , the leaf fraction constituted by cell walls and three main components of primary cell walls (hemicelluloses, cellulose and pectins) in seven gymnosperm species. We found that, although the relatively low gm of gymnosperms was mainly determined by their elevated Tcw , gm was also strongly correlated with cell wall composition, which presumably sets the final effective CO2 diffusivity. The data presented here suggest that (i) differences in gm are strongly correlated to the pectins to hemicelluloses and cellulose ratio in gymnosperms, and (ii) variations in cell wall composition may modify effective CO2 diffusivity in the cell wall to compensate the negative impact of thickened walls. We speculate that higher relative pectin content allows higher gm because pectins increase cell wall hydrophilicity and CO2 molecules cross the wall dissolved in water.


Subject(s)
Cell Wall/metabolism , Cycadopsida/metabolism , Mesophyll Cells/metabolism , Carbon Dioxide/metabolism , Cell Wall/physiology , Chlorophyll/metabolism , Cycadopsida/physiology , Mesophyll Cells/physiology , Photosynthesis , Plant Leaves/anatomy & histology , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Plant Leaves/physiology , Plant Transpiration
10.
Biochem Soc Trans ; 48(2): 429-439, 2020 04 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32129830

ABSTRACT

Besides stomata, the photosynthetic CO2 pathway also involves the transport of CO2 from the sub-stomatal air spaces inside to the carboxylation sites in the chloroplast stroma, where Rubisco is located. This pathway is far to be a simple and direct way, formed by series of consecutive barriers that the CO2 should cross to be finally assimilated in photosynthesis, known as the mesophyll conductance (gm). Therefore, the gm reflects the pathway through different air, water and biophysical barriers within the leaf tissues and cell structures. Currently, it is known that gm can impose the same level of limitation (or even higher depending of the conditions) to photosynthesis than the wider known stomata or biochemistry. In this mini-review, we are focused on each of the gm determinants to summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms driving gm from anatomical to metabolic and biochemical perspectives. Special attention deserve the latest studies demonstrating the importance of the molecular mechanisms driving anatomical traits as cell wall and the chloroplast surface exposed to the mesophyll airspaces (Sc/S) that significantly constrain gm. However, even considering these recent discoveries, still is poorly understood the mechanisms about signaling pathways linking the environment a/biotic stressors with gm responses. Thus, considering the main role of gm as a major driver of the CO2 availability at the carboxylation sites, future studies into these aspects will help us to understand photosynthesis responses in a global change framework.


Subject(s)
Chloroplasts/metabolism , Mesophyll Cells/physiology , Photosynthesis , Plants/metabolism , Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/physiology , Carbon Dioxide/physiology , Diffusion , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Water
11.
New Phytol ; 226(3): 741-759, 2020 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32017123

ABSTRACT

Resurrection plants recover physiological functions after complete desiccation. Almost all of them are native to tropical warm environments. However, the Gesneriaceae include four genera, remnant of the past palaeotropical flora, which inhabit temperate mountains. One of these species is additionally freezing-tolerant: Ramonda myconi. We hypothesise that this species has been able to persist in a colder climate thanks to some resurrection-linked traits. To disentangle the physiological mechanisms underpinning multistress tolerance to desiccation and freezing, we conducted an exhaustive seasonal assessment of photosynthesis (gas exchange, limitations to partitioning, photochemistry and galactolipids) and primary metabolism (through metabolomics) in two natural populations at different elevations. R. myconi displayed low rates of photosynthesis, largely due to mesophyll limitation. However, plants were photosynthetically active throughout the year, excluding a reversible desiccation period. Common responses to desiccation and low temperature involved chloroplast protection: enhanced thermal energy dissipation, higher carotenoid to Chl ratio and de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle. As specific responses, antioxidants and secondary metabolic routes rose upon desiccation, while putrescine, proline and a variety of sugars rose in winter. The data suggest conserved mechanisms to cope with photo-oxidation during desiccation and cold events, while additional metabolic mechanisms may have evolved as specific adaptations to cold during recent glaciations.


Subject(s)
Craterostigma , Adaptation, Physiological , Chloroplasts/metabolism , Desiccation , Photosynthesis , Plants
12.
Curr Protoc Plant Biol ; 5(1): e20103, 2020 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32074410

ABSTRACT

By collecting data at spatial and temporal scales that are inaccessible to satellite and field observation, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are revolutionizing a number of scientific and management disciplines. UAVs may be particularly valuable for precision agricultural applications, offering strong potential to improve the efficiency of water, nutrient, and disease management. However, some authors have suggested that the UAV industry has overhyped the potential value of this technology for agriculture, given that it is difficult for non-specialists to operate UAVs as well as to process and interpret the resulting data. Here, we analyze the barriers to applying UAVs for precision agriculture, which range from regulatory issues to technical requirements. We then evaluate how new developments in the nano- and micro-UAV (NAV and MAV, respectively) markets may help to overcome these barriers. Among the possible breakthroughs that we identify is the ability of NAV/MAV platforms to directly quantify plant traits using methods (e.g., object-oriented classification) that require less image calibration and interpretation than spectral index-based approaches. We suggest that this potential, when combined with steady improvements in sensor miniaturization, flight precision, and autonomy as well as cloud-based image processing, will make UAVs a tool with much broader adoption by agricultural managers in the near future. If this wider uptake is realized, then UAVs have real potential to improve agriculture's resource-use efficiency. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


Subject(s)
Agriculture , Remote Sensing Technology , Data Collection , Phenotype , Plants
13.
Plant Cell Environ ; 43(6): 1376-1393, 2020 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32012308

ABSTRACT

The species Deschampsia antarctica (DA) is one of the only two native vascular species that live in Antarctica. We performed ecophysiological, biochemical, and metabolomic studies to investigate the responses of DA to low temperature. In parallel, we assessed the responses in a non-Antarctic reference species (Triticum aestivum [TA]) from the same family (Poaceae). At low temperature (4°C), both species showed lower photosynthetic rates (reductions were 70% and 80% for DA and TA, respectively) and symptoms of oxidative stress but opposite responses of antioxidant enzymes (peroxidases and catalase). We employed fused least absolute shrinkage and selection operator statistical modelling to associate the species-dependent physiological and antioxidant responses to primary metabolism. Model results for DA indicated associations with osmoprotection, cell wall remodelling, membrane stabilization, and antioxidant secondary metabolism (synthesis of flavonols and phenylpropanoids), coordinated with nutrient mobilization from source to sink tissues (confirmed by elemental analysis), which were not observed in TA. The metabolic behaviour of DA, with significant changes in particular metabolites, was compared with a newly compiled multispecies dataset showing a general accumulation of metabolites in response to low temperatures. Altogether, the responses displayed by DA suggest a compromise between catabolism and maintenance of leaf functionality.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Physiological , Cold Temperature , Nitrogen/metabolism , Phosphorus/metabolism , Poaceae/metabolism , Antarctic Regions , Antioxidants/metabolism , Ascorbate Peroxidases/metabolism , Carbon/metabolism , Catalase/metabolism , Cell Respiration , Cell Wall/metabolism , Glutathione/metabolism , Metabolomics , Oxidation-Reduction , Photosynthesis , Solubility , Species Specificity , Sulfur/metabolism
14.
Plant J ; 101(4): 979-1000, 2020 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31953876

ABSTRACT

In this work, we review the physiological and molecular mechanisms that allow vascular plants to perform photosynthesis in extreme environments, such as deserts, polar and alpine ecosystems. Specifically, we discuss the morpho/anatomical, photochemical and metabolic adaptive processes that enable a positive carbon balance in photosynthetic tissues under extreme temperatures and/or severe water-limiting conditions in C3 species. Nevertheless, only a few studies have described the in situ functioning of photoprotection in plants from extreme environments, given the intrinsic difficulties of fieldwork in remote places. However, they cover a substantial geographical and functional range, which allowed us to describe some general trends. In general, photoprotection relies on the same mechanisms as those operating in the remaining plant species, ranging from enhanced morphological photoprotection to increased scavenging of oxidative products such as reactive oxygen species. Much less information is available about the main physiological and biochemical drivers of photosynthesis: stomatal conductance (gs ), mesophyll conductance (gm ) and carbon fixation, mostly driven by RuBisCO carboxylation. Extreme environments shape adaptations in structures, such as cell wall and membrane composition, the concentration and activation state of Calvin-Benson cycle enzymes, and RuBisCO evolution, optimizing kinetic traits to ensure functionality. Altogether, these species display a combination of rearrangements, from the whole-plant level to the molecular scale, to sustain a positive carbon balance in some of the most hostile environments on Earth.


Subject(s)
Photosynthesis/physiology , Plant Leaves/anatomy & histology , Plant Physiological Phenomena , Plants/chemistry , Adaptation, Biological , Antioxidants/metabolism , Chloroplasts/ultrastructure , Desert Climate , Ecosystem , Electron Transport , Extreme Environments , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Plant Leaves/physiology , Plants/metabolism , Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/metabolism , Secondary Metabolism
15.
New Phytol ; 225(2): 754-768, 2020 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31489634

ABSTRACT

Understanding the strategies employed by plant species that live in extreme environments offers the possibility to discover stress tolerance mechanisms. We studied the physiological, antioxidant and metabolic responses to three temperature conditions (4, 15, and 23°C) of Colobanthus quitensis (CQ), one of the only two native vascular species in Antarctica. We also employed Dianthus chinensis (DC), to assess the effects of the treatments in a non-Antarctic species from the same family. Using fused LASSO modelling, we associated physiological and biochemical antioxidant responses with primary metabolism. This approach allowed us to highlight the metabolic pathways driving the response specific to CQ. Low temperature imposed dramatic reductions in photosynthesis (up to 88%) but not in respiration (sustaining rates of 3.0-4.2 µmol CO2  m-2  s-1 ) in CQ, and no change in the physiological stress parameters was found. Its notable antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial cytochrome respiratory activity (20 and two times higher than DC, respectively), which ensure ATP production even at low temperature, was significantly associated with sulphur-containing metabolites and polyamines. Our findings potentially open new biotechnological opportunities regarding the role of antioxidant compounds and respiratory mechanisms associated with sulphur metabolism in stress tolerance strategies to low temperature.


Subject(s)
Caryophyllaceae/physiology , Cold Temperature , Cytochromes/metabolism , Stress, Physiological , Sulfur/metabolism , Antarctic Regions , Antioxidants/metabolism , Carbon/metabolism , Cell Respiration , Geography , Glutathione/metabolism , Models, Biological , Oxidation-Reduction , Photosynthesis , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Solubility , Species Specificity
16.
Trends Plant Sci ; 24(10): 947-958, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31362860

ABSTRACT

Until recently, few data were available on photosynthesis and its underlying mechanistically limiting factors in plants, other than crops and model species. Currently, a new large pool of data from extant representatives of basal terrestrial plant groups is emerging, allowing exploration of how photosynthetic capacity (Amax) increases from minimum values in bryophytes to maximum in tracheophytes, which is associated to an optimization of the balance between its limiting factors. From predominant mesophyll conductance limitation (lm) in bryophytes and lycophytes (fern allies) to stomatal conductance (ls) and lm colimitation in pteridophytes (ferns) and gymnosperms, a balanced colimitation by the three limitations is finally reached in angiosperms. We discuss the implications of this new knowledge for future biotechnological attempts to improve crop photosynthesis.


Subject(s)
Ferns , Magnoliopsida , Carbon Dioxide , Photosynthesis , Phylogeny , Plant Leaves , Plant Stomata
17.
Plant J ; 99(6): 1031-1046, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31215089

ABSTRACT

Mesophyll conductance (gm ), the diffusion of CO2 from substomatal cavities to the carboxylation sites in the chloroplasts, is a highly complex trait driving photosynthesis (net CO2 assimilation, AN ). However, little is known concerning the mechanisms by which it is dynamically regulated. The apoplast is considered as a 'key information bridge' between the environment and cells. Interestingly, most of the environmental constraints affecting gm also cause apoplastic responses, cell wall (CW) alterations and metabolic rearrangements. Since CW thickness is a key determinant of gm , we hypothesize that other changes in this cellular compartiment should also influence gm . We study the relationship between the antioxidant apoplastic system and CW metabolism and the gm responses in tobacco plants (Nicotiana sylvestris L.) under two abiotic stresses (drought and salinity), combining in vivo gas-exchange measurements with analyses of antioxidant activities, CW composition and primary metabolism. Stress treatments imposed substantial reductions in AN (58-54%) and gm (59%), accompanied by a strong antioxidant enzymatic response at the apoplastic and symplastic levels. Interestingly, apoplastic but not symplastic peroxidases were positively related to gm . Leaf anatomy remained mostly stable; however, the stress treatments significantly affected the CW composition, specifically pectins, which showed significant relationships with AN and gm . The treatments additionally promoted a differential primary metabolic response, and specific CW-related metabolites including galactose, glucosamine and hydroxycinnamate showed exclusive relationships with gm independent of the stress. These results suggest that gm responses can be attributed to specific changes in the apoplastic antioxidant system and CW metabolism, opening up more possibilities for improving photosynthesis using breeding/biotechnological strategies.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/metabolism , Cell Wall/metabolism , Mesophyll Cells/metabolism , Nicotiana/metabolism , Photosynthesis/physiology , Carbon Dioxide/metabolism , Catalase/metabolism , Cell Wall/chemistry , Chlorophyll/metabolism , Droughts , Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism , Multienzyme Complexes/metabolism , NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Peroxidase/metabolism , Plant Leaves/anatomy & histology , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Plant Stomata/metabolism , Plant Stomata/physiology , Salinity , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Nicotiana/enzymology
18.
New Phytol ; 223(4): 1873-1887, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31099898

ABSTRACT

Stomatal responses to environmental signals differ substantially between ferns and angiosperms. However, the mechanisms that lead to such different responses remain unclear. Here we investigated the extent to which leaf metabolism contributes to coordinate the differential stomatal behaviour among ferns and angiosperms. Stomata from all species were responsive to light and CO2 transitions. However, fern stomatal responses were slower and minor in both absolute and relative terms. Angiosperms have higher stomatal density, but this is not correlated with speed of stomatal closure. The metabolic responses throughout the diel course and under different CO2 conditions differ substantially among ferns and angiosperms. Higher sucrose content and an increased sucrose-to-malate ratio during high CO2 -induced stomatal closure was observed in angiosperms compared to ferns. Furthermore, the speed of stomatal closure was positively and negatively correlated with sugars and organic acids, respectively, suggesting that the balance between sugars and organic acids aids in explaining the faster stomatal responses of angiosperms. Our results suggest that mesophyll-derived metabolic signals, especially those associated with sucrose and malate, may also be important to modulate the differential stomatal behaviour between ferns and angiosperms, providing important new information that helps in understanding the metabolism-mediated mechanisms regulating stomatal movements across land plant evolution.


Subject(s)
Carbon Dioxide/metabolism , Ferns/physiology , Light , Magnoliopsida/physiology , Malates/metabolism , Plant Stomata/metabolism , Plant Stomata/radiation effects , Sucrose/metabolism , Discriminant Analysis , Ferns/radiation effects , Least-Squares Analysis , Magnoliopsida/radiation effects , Metabolome/radiation effects , Photosynthesis/radiation effects , Principal Component Analysis
19.
Plant Signal Behav ; 14(6): 1592536, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30885041

ABSTRACT

Thiol-disulfide redox exchanges are widely distributed modifications of great importance for metabolic regulation in living cells. In general, the formation of disulfide bonds is controlled by thioredoxins (TRXs), ubiquitous proteins with two redox-active cysteine residues separated by a pair of amino acids. While the function of plastidial TRXs has been extensively studied, the role of the mitochondrial TRX system is much less well understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that the mitochondrial TRXs are required for the proper functioning of the major metabolic pathways, including stomatal function and antioxidant metabolism under sub-optimal conditions including drought and salinity. Furthermore, inactivation of mitochondrial TRX system leads to metabolite adjustments of both primary and secondary metabolism following drought episodes in arabidopsis, and makes the plants more resistant to salt stress. Here we discuss the implications of these findings, which clearly open up several research avenues to achieve a full understanding of the redox control of metabolism under environmental constraining conditions.


Subject(s)
Arabidopsis/physiology , Mitochondria/metabolism , Stress, Physiological , Thioredoxins/metabolism , Arabidopsis/enzymology , Electron Transport , Models, Biological , Oxidation-Reduction , Photosynthesis , Plant Stomata/physiology , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism
20.
Plant Cell Physiol ; 60(1): 213-229, 2019 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30329109

ABSTRACT

Thioredoxins (Trxs) modulate metabolic responses during stress conditions; however, the mechanisms governing the responses of plants subjected to multiple drought events and the role of Trxs under these conditions are not well understood. Here we explored the significance of the mitochondrial Trx system in Arabidopsis following exposure to single and repeated drought events. We analyzed the previously characterized NADPH-dependent Trx reductase A and B double mutant (ntra ntrb) and two independent mitochondrial thioredoxin o1 (trxo1) mutant lines. Following similar reductions in relative water content (∼50%), Trx mutants subjected to two drought cycles displayed a significantly higher maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and were less sensitive to drought than their wild-type counterparts and than all genotypes subjected to a single drought event. Trx mutant plants displayed a faster recovery after two cycles of drought, as observed by the higher accumulation of secondary metabolites and higher stomatal conductance. Our results indicate that plants exposed to multiple drought cycles are able to modulate their subsequent metabolic and physiological response, suggesting the occurrence of an exquisite acclimation in stressed Arabidopsis plants. Moreover, this differential acclimation involves the participation of a set of metabolic changes as well as redox poise alteration following stress recovery.


Subject(s)
Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Droughts , Mitochondria/metabolism , Thioredoxins/metabolism , Arabidopsis/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Metabolome , Mutation/genetics , Nucleotides/metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Plant Stomata/physiology , Principal Component Analysis , Stress, Physiological , Water
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