Journal article
Kranz anatomy is not essential for terrestrial C4 plant photosynthesis
Publication Details
Authors: | Voznesenskaya, E.; Franceschi, V.; Kiirats, O.; Freitag, H.; Edwards, G. |
Publication year: | 2001 |
Journal: | Nature |
Pages range : | 543-546 |
Volume number: | 414 |
ISSN: | 0028-0836 |
eISSN: | 1476-4687 |
DOI-Link der Erstveröffentlichung: |
URN / URL: |
Abstract
An important adaptation to CO2-limited photosynthesis in cyanobacteria, algae and some plants was development of CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCM)(1). Evolution of a CCM occurred many times in flowering plants, beginning at least 15-20 million years ago, in response to atmospheric CO2 reduction, climate change, geological trends, and evolutionary diversification of species(2). In plants, this is achieved through a biochemical inorganic carbon pump called C-4 photosynthesis, discovered 35 years ago(3). C4 photosynthesis is advantageous when limitations on carbon acquisition are imposed by high temperature, drought and saline conditions. It has been thought that a specialized leaf anatomy, composed of two, distinctive photosynthetic cell types (Kranz anatomy), is required for C-4 photosynthesis(4). We provide evidence that C-4 photosynthesis can function within a single photosynthetic cell in terrestrial plants. Borszczowia aralocaspica (Chenopodiaceae) has the photosynthetic features of C-4 plants, yet lacks Kranz anatomy. This species accomplishes C-4 photosynthesis through spatial compartmentation of photosynthetic enzymes, and by separation of two types of chloroplasts and other organelles in distinct positions within the chlorenchyma cell cytoplasm.
An important adaptation to CO2-limited photosynthesis in cyanobacteria, algae and some plants was development of CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCM)(1). Evolution of a CCM occurred many times in flowering plants, beginning at least 15-20 million years ago, in response to atmospheric CO2 reduction, climate change, geological trends, and evolutionary diversification of species(2). In plants, this is achieved through a biochemical inorganic carbon pump called C-4 photosynthesis, discovered 35 years ago(3). C4 photosynthesis is advantageous when limitations on carbon acquisition are imposed by high temperature, drought and saline conditions. It has been thought that a specialized leaf anatomy, composed of two, distinctive photosynthetic cell types (Kranz anatomy), is required for C-4 photosynthesis(4). We provide evidence that C-4 photosynthesis can function within a single photosynthetic cell in terrestrial plants. Borszczowia aralocaspica (Chenopodiaceae) has the photosynthetic features of C-4 plants, yet lacks Kranz anatomy. This species accomplishes C-4 photosynthesis through spatial compartmentation of photosynthetic enzymes, and by separation of two types of chloroplasts and other organelles in distinct positions within the chlorenchyma cell cytoplasm.
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