Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Justin Findinier, Arthur R. Grossman
Summary: The CO2-concentrating mechanism is an inorganic carbon pump used by eukaryotic algae to promote carbon fixation. It has the potential to be transferred to crop species, enhancing agricultural yields and supporting a growing world population.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ashwani K. Rai, Timothy Chen, James Moroney
Summary: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii can grow photosynthetically using CO2, with the CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) playing a crucial role. Research suggests that mitochondrial carbonic anhydrases CAH4 and CAH5 are involved in maintaining optimal photosynthesis in C. reinhardtii.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hermanus Nawaly, Hiroaki Matsui, Yoshinori Tsuji, Kazufumi Iwayama, Hiroki Ohashi, Kensuke Nakajima, Yusuke Matsuda
Summary: Two paralogs, PtSLC4-1 and PtSLC4-4, were discovered in this study, and their overexpression stimulated the uptake of HCO3-. The results indicate that PtSLC4-1 plays a major role in low CO2 conditions, while PtSLC4-4 operates under severe CO2 limitation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Sarah Rottet, Britta Forster, Wei Yih Hee, Loraine M. M. Rourke, G. Dean Price, Benedict M. M. Long
Summary: The study discusses the challenges and engineering strategies for synthesizing a biophysical CO2-concentrating mechanism in plant chloroplasts, focusing on key issues in regulating HCO3- transporters and CO2-to-HCO3- converters.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Khaled A. Selim, Michael Haffner, Oliver Mantovani, Reinhard Albrecht, Hongbo Zhu, Martin Hagemann, Karl Forchhammer, Marcus D. Hartmann
Summary: The PII superfamily is a widespread signal transduction proteins found in all domains of life. In addition to canonical PII proteins involved in C/N sensing, structurally similar PII-like proteins evolved to fulfill diverse cellular functions. Cyanobacterial protein SbtB acts as a sensor of various adenine nucleotides and possesses a redox-regulatory function. It has an unusual ATP/ADP apyrase activity controlled by the redox state of the protein. This protein plays a central role in regulating cyanobacterial cell physiology by integrating signals from energy state, carbon supply, and day/night status.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biology
Yang Dong, Jiali Wang, Rachel-Ann Garibsingh, Keino Hutchinson, Yueyue Shi, Gilad Eisenberg, Xiaozhen Yu, Avner Schlessinger, Christof Grewer, Randy B. Stockbridge
Summary: EAAT1 is a glutamate transporter that regulates extracellular glutamate concentration in the brain, while ASCT2 is an amino acid transporter involved in the movement of glutamine between intracellular and extracellular compartments. Both transporters belong to the SLC1 family and share a similar mechanism of allosteric modulation, as discovered through experimental and computational studies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Takashi Yamano, Chihana Toyokawa, Daisuke Shimamura, Toshiki Matsuoka, Hideya Fukuzawa
Summary: Most microalgae use a CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) to acquire inorganic carbon in aquatic environments. This study found that the localization of a specific protein LCIB in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii undergoes changes in response to different CO2 concentrations, and this process is regulated by LCIC.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. Aguila Ruiz-Sola, Serena Flori, Yizhong Yuan, Gaelle Villain, Emanuel Sanz-Luque, Petra Redekop, Ryutaro Tokutsu, Anika Kuken, Angeliki Tsichla, Georgios Kepesidis, Guillaume Allorent, Marius Arend, Fabrizio Iacono, Giovanni Finazzi, Michael Hippler, Zoran Nikoloski, Jun Minagawa, Arthur R. Grossman, Dimitris Petroutsos
Summary: Photosynthetic algae have evolved mechanisms to cope with suboptimal light and CO2 conditions. Depletion of CO2 can drive photoprotection and carbon acquisition even in the absence of light, previously believed to be indispensable for these processes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sebastia Capo-Bauca, Concepcion Iniguez, Pere Aguilo-Nicolau, Jeroni Galmes
Summary: This study reveals an adaptive change in the Rubisco enzyme in submerged angiosperms, which shows lower catalytic efficiencies and gas affinities compared to their terrestrial and freshwater relatives, possibly in response to constant CO2 limitation in marine environments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tom Z. Emrich-Mills, Gary Yates, James Barrett, Philipp Girr, Irina Grouneva, Chun Sing Lau, Charlotte E. Walker, Tsz Kam Kwok, John W. Davey, Matthew P. Johnson, Luke C. M. Mackinder
Summary: The development of a recombineering pipeline allowed for successful parallel cloning of genes from a Chlamydomonas bacterial artificial chromosome collection, with an overall cloning success rate of 77%. The cloning success was independent of gene size and complexity, with cloned genes reaching sizes as large as 23 kb. This technology has the potential to open up new possibilities in algal and plant research.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chun Sing Lau, Adam Dowle, Gavin H. Thomas, Philipp Girr, Luke C. M. Mackinder
Summary: Researchers have developed a proximity labeling technique using TurboID to identify the protein composition of a crucial organelle in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii called the pyrenoid. The resulting high-confidence proteome revealed new insights into the role of the pyrenoid in RNA-associated processes and redox-sensitive iron-sulfur cluster metabolism.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhaodong Li, Chao Wu, Xiang Gao, Bennett Addison, Shrameeta Shinde, Xin Wang, Xihan Chen, Jianping Yu, Drazenka Svedruzic, Jeffrey L. Blackburn, Wei Xiong
Summary: A new integrated photo-electrochemical system has been developed, allowing direct electron transfer to the photosynthetic system in living cyanobacteria. This system enables the conversion of CO2 into acetate by fueling cyanobacteria with both illumination and exogenous electrons. The energy conversion efficiency for acetate production under intermittent LED illumination and exogenous electron supply reached around 9%, suggesting potential for sustainable biofuel production.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Azadeh Shahsavar, Peter Stohler, Gleb Bourenkov, Iwan Zimmermann, Martin Siegrist, Wolfgang Guba, Emmanuel Pinard, Steffen Sinning, Markus A. Seeger, Thomas R. Schneider, Roger J. P. Dawson, Poul Nissen
Summary: This study utilized synthetic single-domain antibodies and serial synchrotron crystallography to determine the structure of GlyT1 in complex with an inhibitor, revealing that the inhibitor locks GlyT1 in an inward-open conformation and binds at the intracellular gate of the release pathway. These findings define the mechanism of inhibition and provide insights for the rational design of new, clinically efficacious GlyT1 inhibitors.
Article
Plant Sciences
Pengpeng Li, Zuying Liao, Jingzhe Zhou, Liyan Yin, Hong Sheng Jiang, Wei Li
Summary: Submerged macrophytes have developed the ability to use bicarbonate to mitigate the effects of photorespiration, leading to increased oxygen production. Experiments have shown that inhibiting bicarbonate use with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor significantly reduces oxygen production rate in three out of four studied submerged macrophytes, while the species that solely use CO2 are not affected.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Liat Adler, Aranzazu Diaz-Ramos, Yuwei Mao, Krzysztof Robin Pukacz, Chenyi Fei, Alistair J. McCormick
Summary: This review discusses recent advances in understanding the pyrenoid-based CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and the engineering progress in C3 plants. Key findings include the potential benefits of Rubisco condensation and the minimal components required for a functional CCM.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ling-Zi Li, Zhou-Geng Xu, Tian-Gen Chang, Long Wang, Heng Kang, Dong Zhai, Lu-Yi Zhang, Peng Zhang, Hongtao Liu, Xin-Guang Zhu, Jia-Wei Wang
Summary: Understanding the origin and adaptation of weeds is critical for their management. In this study, the authors use genome assembly, population genomics, and QTL mapping to establish Cardamine occulta as a model for studying weed ruderality, and identify FLC and CRY2 as genetic drivers for the establishment of a short life cycle.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yahui Hao, Xue Zhang, Yaqi Liu, Miaolian Ma, Xiaowei Huang, Hongtao Liu, Peng Zhang
PLANT COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Long-Sheng Zhao, Peng Wang, Kang Li, Quan-Bao Zhang, Fei-Yu He, Chun-Yang Li, Hai-Nan Su, Xiu-Lan Chen, Lu-Ning Liu, Yu-Zhong Zhang
Summary: This study reports the structure of the photosynthetic PSI-ACPI supercomplex in cryptophyte algae, which represents a unique structure in the evolution of photosynthesis. The supercomplex consists of a PSI core and ACPI subunits, with ACPI-S mediating the association and energy transfer between them. This research provides important insights into the energy transfer mechanisms of cryptophyte PSI-LHCI and the evolution of photosynthesis in the red lineage.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taiyu Chen, Marta Hojka, Philip Davey, Yaqi Sun, Gregory F. Dykes, Fei Zhou, Tracy Lawson, Peter J. Nixon, Yongjun Lin, Lu-Ning Liu
Summary: Engineering carboxysomes into crop chloroplasts can enhance photosynthesis and crop yield. The authors successfully engineered functional CO2-fixing modules into tobacco chloroplasts, improving photosynthesis and productivity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chen Wang, Leiye Yu, Jiying Zhang, Yanxia Zhou, Bo Sun, Qingjie Xiao, Minhua Zhang, Huayi Liu, Jinhong Li, Jialu Li, Yunzi Luo, Jie Xu, Zhong Lian, Jingwen Lin, Xiang Wang, Peng Zhang, Li Guo, Ruobing Ren, Dong Deng
Summary: The study presents cryo-EM structures of PfENT1, revealing its role as an inosine transporter and describing the inhibitory mechanism of the endofacial inhibitor, GSK4. PfENT1 is essential for nucleoside uptake in Plasmodium falciparum, which lacks de novo purine biosynthesis enzymes. Specific inhibitors of PfENT1 show potential for preventing the proliferation of the parasite. This research provides valuable insights into the substrate recognition and inhibitory mechanisms of PfENT1, which will aid in the development of antimalarial drugs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Owen Thwaites, Bern M. M. Christianson, Alexander J. J. Cowan, Frank Jackel, Lu-Ning Liu, Adrian M. M. Gardner
Summary: Elucidating the photosynthetic processes within RC-LH1 supercomplexes is crucial for understanding natural photosynthetic systems and developing artificial photosynthesis. This study examined the energy transfer in RC-LH1 supercomplexes of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and investigated the roles of transmembrane polypeptides PufX and PufY. The results showed that the absence of PufX increased the excitation energy transfer lifetime and distribution, while the absence of PufY led to conformational changes in LH1 subunits but did not affect the energy transfer lifetime significantly.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhao Yang, Xue Zhang, Shiwei Ye, Jingtao Zheng, Xiaowei Huang, Fang Yu, Zhenguo Chen, Shiqing Cai, Peng Zhang
Summary: Chloride channels (CLCs) are regulated by nucleotides and phospholipids. The cryo-EM structures of Arabidopsis thaliana CLCa (AtCLCa) bound with NO3- and Cl- reveal the regulatory mechanisms of nucleotides and phospholipids. This study provides new insights for the future study of CLCs.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Matthew Faulkner, Robin Hoeven, Paul P. Kelly, Yaqi Sun, Helen Park, Lu-Ning Liu, Helen S. Toogood, Nigel S. Scrutton
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of using environmental isolates as industrial hosts for chemicals biomanufacturing, showing the value of replacing or augmenting the use of biogenic feedstocks with CO2 utilization in non-sterile, industrialized bioreactors.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaowei Huang, Xue Zhang, Ning An, Minhua Zhang, Miaolian Ma, Yang Yang, Lianyan Jing, Yongfei Wang, Zhenguo Chen, Peng Zhang
Summary: The cryogenic electron microscopy structure of the plant hormone ABA transporter AtABCG25 provides new insights into its substrate recognition and transport mechanism, which is crucial for the physiological study of ABA and its applications in plant agriculture.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Qiuyao Jiang, Tianpei Li, Jing Yang, Catherine M. Aitchison, Jiafeng Huang, Yu Chen, Fang Huang, Qiang Wang, Andrew I. Cooper, Lu-Ning Liu
Summary: Researchers engineered the protein organelle in bacteria cells to encapsulate hydrogenases, resulting in improved hydrogen production and catalytic efficiency. This study provides a framework for developing new bio-inspired electrocatalysts for sustainable fuel and chemical production.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruichao Mao, Han Zhang, Lihua Bie, Lu-Ning Liu, Jun Gao
Summary: Protein-protein interface interactions are crucial for efficient excitation energy transfer in photosystem II (PSII). This study constructs a large-scale model of the PSII-LHCII supercomplex and performs molecular dynamics simulations to investigate its interactions and assembly mechanisms. The results uncover the role of hydrophobic interactions in antenna-core association and highlight the importance of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges in interface binding. The findings provide insights into the self-organization and regulation of PSII-LHCII and lay the foundation for understanding assembly principles of photosynthetic supercomplexes and other macromolecular structures.
