Optimizing the electron transport chain to sustainably improve photosynthesis

Gu, Lianhong

doi:10.1093/plphys/kiad490

Title: Optimizing the electron transport chain to sustainably improve photosynthesis

Journal Article · 06 September 2023 · Plant Physiology (Bethesda)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/plphys/kiad490 · OSTI ID:2217633

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Genetically improving photosynthesis is a key strategy to boosting crop production to meet the rising demand for food and fuel by a rapidly growing global population in a warming climate. Many components of the photosynthetic apparatus have been targeted for genetic modification for improving photosynthesis. Successful translation of these modifications into increased plant productivity in fluctuating environments will depend on whether the electron transport chain (ETC) can support the increased electron transport rate without risking overreduction and photodamage. At present atmospheric conditions, the ETC appears suboptimal and will likely need to be modified to support proposed photosynthetic improvements and to maintain energy balance. Here, I derive photochemical equations to quantify the transport capacity and the corresponding reduction level based on the kinetics of redox reactions along the ETC. Using these theoretical equations and measurements from diverse C₃/C₄ species across environments, I identify several strategies that can simultaneously increase the transport capacity and decrease the reduction level of the ETC. These strategies include increasing the abundances of reaction centers, cytochrome b₆f complexes, and mobile electron carriers, improving their redox kinetics, and decreasing the fraction of secondary quinone–nonreducing photosystem II reaction centers. I also shed light on several previously unexplained experimental findings regarding the physiological impacts of the abundances of the cytochrome b₆f complex and plastoquinone. The model developed, and the insights generated from it facilitate the development of sustainable photosynthetic systems for greater crop yields.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 2217633

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2000215; OSTI ID: 2203807

Journal Information:: Plant Physiology (Bethesda), Vol. 193, Issue 4; ISSN 0032-0889

Publisher:: American Society of Plant BiologistsCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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