Universität zu Köln

Li, Yuanyuan, Heckmann, David, Lercher, Martin J. and Maurino, Veronica G. (2017). Combining genetic and evolutionary engineering to establish C-4 metabolism in C-3 plants. J. Exp. Bot., 68 (2). S. 117 - 126. OXFORD: OXFORD UNIV PRESS. ISSN 1460-2431

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Abstract

To feed a world population projected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, the productivity of major crops must be increased by at least 50%. One potential route to boost the productivity of cereals is to equip them genetically with the 'supercharged' C-4 type of photosynthesis; however, the necessary genetic modifications are not sufficiently understood for the corresponding genetic engineering programme. In this opinion paper, we discuss a strategy to solve this problem by developing a new paradigm for plant breeding. We propose combining the bioengineering of well-understood traits with subsequent evolutionary engineering, i.e. mutagenesis and artificial selection. An existing mathematical model of C-3-C-4 evolution is used to choose the most promising path towards this goal. Based on biomathematical simulations, we engineer Arabidopsis thaliana plants that express the central carbon-fixing enzyme Rubisco only in bundle sheath cells (Ru-BSC plants), the localization characteristic for C-4 plants. This modification will initially be deleterious, forcing the Ru-BSC plants into a fitness valley from where previously inaccessible adaptive steps towards C-4 photosynthesis become accessible through fitness-enhancing mutations. Mutagenized Ru-BSC plants are then screened for improved photosynthesis, and are expected to respond to imposed artificial selection pressures by evolving towards C-4 anatomy and biochemistry.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Li, Yuanyuan UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Heckmann, David UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Lercher, Martin J. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Maurino, Veronica G. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-246804
DOI:	10.1093/jxb/erw333
Journal or Publication Title:	J. Exp. Bot.
Volume:	68
Number:	2
Page Range:	S. 117 - 126
Date:	2017
Publisher:	OXFORD UNIV PRESS
Place of Publication:	OXFORD
ISSN:	1460-2431
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language BUNDLE-SHEATH CELLS; ADAPTIVE LABORATORY EVOLUTION; FLAVERIA-TRINERVIA; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; ARABIDOPSIS; RUBISCO; MESOPHYLL; ROLES; PHOTORESPIRATION; ACCUMULATION Multiple languages Plant Sciences Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/24680