Promotive Effect of Low Concentrations of NaHSO3 on Photophosphorylation and Photosynthesis in Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Transgenic Rice Leaves

Spraying a 1-2 mmol/L solution of NaHSO3 on the leaves of wild-type rice (Oryza sativa L.)Kitaake (WT), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) transgenic (PC) rice and PEPC phosphate dikinase (PPDK) transgenic rice (PC PK), in which the germplasm was transformed with wild-type Kitaake as the gene receptor, resulted in an enhancement of the net photosynthetic rate by 23.0%, 28.8%, and 34.4%,respectively, for more than 3 d. It was also observed that NaHSO3 application caused an increase in the ATP content in leaves. Spraying PMS (a cofactor catalysing the photophosphorylation cycle) and NaHSO3 separately or together on leaves resulted in an increase in photosynthesis with all treatments. There was no additional effect on photosynthetic rate when the mixture was applied, suggesting that the mechanism by which NaHSO3 promotes photosynthesis is similar to the mechanism by which PMS acts and that both of compounds enhanced the supply of ATP. After spraying a solution of NaHSO3 on leaves, compared with the WT Kitaake rice, a greater enhancement of net photosynthetic rate was observed in PEPC transgenic (PC) and PEPC PPDK transgenic (PC PK) rice, with the greatest increase being observed in the latter group. Therefore ATP supply may become the limiting factor that concentrates CO2 in rice leaves transformed with an exogenous PEPC gene and exogenous PEPC PPDK genes.     

转玉米PEPC基因水稻中有限的C4光合微循环及其生理作用

用转PEPC基因水稻(Oryza sativa L. subsp.japonica Kitaake)和原种水稻Kitaake为材料,研究了不同基因型水稻叶片中的C4光合微循环及其功能.通过测定与光合C4途径有关的关键酶,如磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPC)、NADP -苹果酸酶(NADP -ME)、NADP -苹果酸脱氢酶(NADP -MDH)和丙酮酸磷酸双激酶(PPDK),说明原种水稻叶片中具有完整的C4光合酶体系;用外源OAA或MA饲喂叶切片或叶绿体后明显增加光合速率,证明原种水稻中具有一个有限的光合C4微循环.将玉米的PEPC基因导入原种水稻后,可大幅度提高光合C4微循环的速率.测定不同基因型的CO2交换速率,看出水稻中C4光合微循环的增强有提高净光合速率(Pn)和降低光呼吸速率/净光合速率(Pr/Pn)比值的作用.叶绿素荧光特性分析表明,C4光合微循环的增强伴随着PSⅡ电子传递效率(Fv/Fm)和光化学猝灭(qP)的增加以及非光化学猝灭(qN)的降低;这些结果为通过基因工程手段提高作物光合效率的遗传育种提供了科学根据.     

外源Ca2+对PEG处理下转C4型PEPC基因水稻光合生理的调节

磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶(PEPC)通过固定二氧化碳参与光合作用, 是关键的C₄植物光合作用酶。为了揭示高光效转C₄ PEPC基因水稻(Oryza sativa)对干旱胁迫的适应机理, 以高表达转C₄ PEPC水稻(PC)和野生型水稻Kitaake (WT)为供试材料, 在植株的4-5叶期, 使用不同浓度外源CaCl₂溶液处理, 测定在15%聚乙二醇6000 (polyethylene glycol-6000, PEG-6000)胁迫下叶片相对含水量、光合参数、内源钙总含量、叶片总蛋白激酶活性、PEPC酶活性以及相关基因表达和蛋白质含量。结果表明, 0.5 mmol∙L^-1 CaCl₂明显提高PC叶片相对含水量(P<0.05), 2 mmol∙L^-1和10 mmol∙L^-1 CaCl₂则作用不显著, 对WT则影响不显著。不同浓度钙处理对PEG处理PC的净光合速率影响不显著, 而通过维持气孔导度减少水分胁迫。内源总钙浓度的数据显示, 在PEG6000处理下, PC具有维持稳定内源Ca²⁺浓度的能力, 过高浓度(10 mmol∙L^-1 CaCl₂)钙处理反而降低了PEPC酶活性、PEPC基因表达和可溶性蛋白的含量。     

Elevated pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) activity alters carbon metabolism in C3 transgenic potatoes with a C4 maize PPDK gene

Changes in carbon metabolism and δ¹³C value of transgenic potato plants with a maize pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK; EC 2.7.9.1) gene are reported. PPDK catalyzes the formation of phospho enol pyruvate (PEP), the initial acceptor of CO₂ in the C₄ photosynthetic pathway. PPDK activities in the leases of transgenic potatoes were up to 5.4‐fold higher than those of control potato plants (wild‐type and treated control plants). In the transgenic potato plants, PPDK activity in leaves was negatively correlated with pyruvate content (r²= 0.81), and was positively correlated with malate content (r²= 0.88). A significant increase in the δ¹³C value was observed in the transgenic potato plants, suggesting a certain contribution of PEP carboxylase as the initial acceptor of atmospheric CO₂. These data suggest that elevated PPDK activity may alter carbon metabolism and lead to a partial operation of C₄‐type carbon metabolism. However, since parameters associated with CO₂ gas exchange were not affected, the altered carbon metabolism had only a small effect on the total photosynthetic characteristics of the transgenic plants.     

转C4光合酶基因水稻的CO2交换和荧光特性

用转PEPC、PPDK、NADP-ME、PEPC+PPDK酶基因水稻(Oryza sativa L.)及原种为材料 ,研究了光合作用对光照、温度、CO2的响应和光抑制条件下的叶绿素荧光特性,结果如下: 1.转C4光合酶基因水稻的饱和光合速率比原种高,其中转PEPC、PEPC+PPDK双基因水稻的光饱和点比原种高200 μmol*m-2*s-1,饱和光合速率比原种分别高51.6%和 58.5%;转PEPC基因水稻的羧化效率比原种高49.3%,CO2补偿点降低26.2%;在高温(35 ℃)下,转PEPC基因水稻的光合速率比原种高17.5%.2.经光抑制处理8 d后,转PEPC、PEPC +PPDK酶基因水稻的PSⅡ光化学效率(Fv/Fm)和光化学猝灭(qP)下降20%- 30%,非光化学猝灭(qN)增加了约30%;但原种的Fv/Fm和qP下降了5 0%多,qN变化不明显,表明转C4光合基因水稻耐光抑制能力增强.这些结果为用生物技术提高水稻光合效率研究提供了新的依据和途径.     

ABA、BA及DPI对高表达玉米C4pepc基因的水稻光合特性及叶绿素荧光特性的影响

为阐明水稻高表达玉米C4型磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶基因（C4 phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase,C4pepc）出现高光效的分子机理,以盆栽转C4pepc水稻（PC）及野生型Kitaake（WT）为材料,花后7d茎吸入脱落酸（abscisic acid,ABA）、正丁醇（n-butanol,BA）及氯化二亚苯基碘（diphenyleneiodonium,DPI）,考察其对叶片光合特性及酶活性等影响。结果表明：（1）与ABA处理不同,DPI和BA处理下PC的只均呈现先增加后下降的趋势,BA处理0．5h时只明显增加,原因主要是由于气孔导度的增加;（2）ABA、BA和DPI对只／R的影响不明显,与WT相比,PC的qP下降少;（3）BA处理后PC的PEPC活性降低了26％,而DPI处理则增加了48％。各处理并未对PEPC蛋白和基因的表达有影响。     

脱落酸和己糖激酶抑制剂对高表达C4-PEPC转基因稻苗耐旱性的影响

为了研究高表达转玉米C₄-磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶（phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase,PEPC）基因水稻（PC）的耐旱性机制,本研究以PC和未转基因野生型原种kitaake为材料,分别在光照和黑暗预处理24 h,其中光照处理中光强为600 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,预处理后稻苗再在15％聚乙二醇-6000模拟干旱胁迫下,同时使用药理学的方法,通过加入脱落酸和己糖激酶的专一性抑制剂100 μmol·L^-1去甲二氢愈创木酸和10 mmol·L^-1葡萄糖胺,观察两种水稻4~5叶期稻苗耐旱表现。结果发现,与WT水稻相比,在PEG-6000处理后,经过光预处理的PC水稻叶片相对含水量下降较少,始终比WT的高,而且丙二醛含量则较少,脯氨酸诱导增加,表现耐旱;而经过暗预处理后PC植株显著降低这个优势,表明光预处理有利于PC耐旱性的表现;黑暗预处理均显著下调了2供试材料植株叶片中可溶性糖的含量,而对可溶性蛋白的含量影响不显著;而光预处理后PC水稻叶片内可溶性糖含量比WT增加,而在黑暗预处理则PC的显著低于WT的,其中葡萄糖胺对光预处理下PC的可溶性糖含量的下调作用最显著;暗预处理逆转或消除了NO,H₂O₂和钙离子含量变化趋势,这些变化与暗预处理减少了两材料叶片蔗糖和葡萄糖含量变化同步;光暗预处理对两材料的PEPC酶活性的差异影响不大,表明外源玉米C₄-PEPC在水稻中是组成型表达。可见PC叶片可部分通过糖组分,参与内源糖介导ABA和HXK信号途径,缓解干旱处理对叶片的伤害,稳定光合能力。     

Photosynthetic characteristics and effect of ATP in transgenic rice with phospho<Emphasis Type="Italic">enol</Emphasis>pyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase genes

In the untransformed rice (WT) and transgenic rice with the PEPC and PPDK genes (CK) we determined activities of C₄ photosynthetic enzymes, photosynthetic response to irradiance and temperature, the metabolic index of active oxygen, and the yield component factors. The activities of C₄ photosynthetic enzymes in WT were very low, while those of corresponding enzymes in CK were highly observable. Moreover, after adenosine triphosphate (ATP) treatment, and under high irradiance and high temperature, the net photosynthetic rate of CK increased by 17 and 12 %, respectively, as compared to that achieved without ATP treatment. The resistance of CK against photo-oxidation was enhanced under these conditions, and CK yield increased by 15 %. ATP treatment enhanced the photosynthetic productivity of CK, thereby proving that ATP is the key factor in enhancing the photosynthetic capacity of transgenic rice with C₄ gene. Our new technical approach can be used in breeding rice with high photosynthetic efficiency and high grain yield.     

Differential effects of chilling on the activity of C4 enzymes in two ecotypes of Echinochloa crus-galli from sites of contrasting climates

Five-week-old plants of Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv. from Mississippi and from Québec grown under controlled conditions were subjected to dark chilling for 10 h at 5°C or light chilling treatments for 14 h at 7°C under hight light (1 000 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). The activities of four C₄ enzymes of Québec plants, measured 4 h after the completion of the cold treatment, were not affected by the chilling treatment in the dark. The activities of pyruvate, P_i dikinase (PPDK; EC 2.7.9.1) and NADP⁺-malic enzyme (NADP⁺-ME; EC 1.1.1.40), were significantly reduced in dark-chilled Mississippi plants. Chilling under high light conditions elicited significant levels of reduction in the activities of the four enzymes from both ecotypes but the reductions were significantly less severe for Québec plants. The recovery of activities of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) and PPDK for both ecotypes was completed within 36 to 60 hours following the chilling treatment, but NADP⁺-malate dehydro-genase (NADP⁺-MDH; EC 1.1.1.82) and NADP⁺-ME activities of chilled Mississippi plants remained below that of control plants at the end of the 5-day monitoring period. PPDK was inactivated in vitro at 0 and 10°C and the rates of cold inactivation were significantly higher for PPDK extracted from Mississippi plants. The activity of PEPC of Mississippi extracts was slightly, but significantly reduced by a 60 min treatment at 0°C.     

Developmental changes of enzymes of malate metabolism in relation to respiration, photosynthesis and nitrate assimilation in peach leaves

The developmental profile of the activities of some enzymes involved in malate metabolism, namely phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4. 1. 1. 31), NAD⁺-linked (EC 1. 1. 1. 37) and NADP⁺-linked (EC 1. 1. 1. 82) malate dehydrosenase (MDH), NAD⁺linked (EC 1. 1. 1. 39) and NADP⁺-linked (EC 1. 1. 1. 40) malic enzyme (ME), has been determined in leaves of peach [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch cv. Maycrest], a woody C₃ species. In order to study the role of these enzymes, their activities were related to developmental changes of photosynthesis, respiration, and capacity for N assimilation. Activities of PEPC, NAD(P)⁺-MDH and NADP⁺-ME were high in young expanding leaves and decreased 2- to 3-fold in mature ones, suggesting that such enzymes play some role during the early stages of leaf expansion. In leaves of peach, such a role did not seem to be linked to C₃ photosynthesis or nitrate assimilation, in that photosynthetic O₂ evolution and activities of nitrate reductase (EC 1. 6. 6. 1) and glutamine synthetase (EC 6. 3. 1. 2) increased during leaf development. In contrast, leaf respiration strongly decreased with increasing leaf age. We suggest that in expanding leaves of this woody species the enzymes associated with malate metabolism have anaplerotic functions, and that PEPC may also contribute to the recapture of respiratory CO₂.     

Carbon partitioning in leaves and tubers of transgenic potato plants with reduced activity of fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

The role of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P₂) in regulation of carbon metabolism was investigated in transgenic potato plants ( Solanum tuberosum L. cv Dianella) transformed with a vector containing a cDNA-sequence encoding fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase (F6P,2-K, EC 2.7.1.105)/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (F26BPase, EC 3.1.3.46) in sense or antisense direction behind a CaMV 35S promoter. The activity of F6P,2-K in leaves was reduced to 5% of wild-type (WT) activity, and the level of Fru-2,6-P₂ was reduced both in leaves (10% of the WT level) and in tubers (40% of the WT level). Analysis of photosynthetic ¹⁴CO₂ metabolism, showed that in plant lines with reduced Fru-2,6-P₂ level the carbon partitioning in the leaves was changed in favour of sucrose biosynthesis, and the soluble sugars-to-starch labelling ratio was doubled. The levels of soluble sugars and hexose phosphates also increased in leaves of the transgenic plants. Most notably, the levels of hexoses were four- to six-fold increased in the transgenic plants. In tubers with reduced levels of Fru-2,6-P₂ only minor effects on carbohydrate levels were observed. Furthermore, carbon assimilation in tuber discs supplied with [U-¹⁴C]-sucrose showed only a moderate increase in labelling of hexoses and a decreased labelling of starch. Similar results were obtained using [U-¹⁴C]-glucose. No differences in growth of the transgenic lines and the WT were observed. Our data provide evidences that Fru-2,6-P₂ is an important factor in the regulation of photosynthetic carbon metabolism in potato leaves, whereas the direct influence of Fru-2,6-P₂ on tuber metabolism was limited.     

Stimulation of respiration by Pb2+ in detached leaves and mitochondria of C3 and C4 plants

The exposure of detached leaves of C₃ plants (pea, barley) and C₄ plant (maize) to 5 m M Pb (NO₃)₂ for 24 h caused a reduction of their photosynthetic activity by 40–60%, whereas the respiratory rate was stimulated by 20–50%. Mitochondria isolated from Pb²⁺-treated pea leaves oxidized substrates (glycine, succinate, malate) at higher rates than mitochondria from control leaves. The respiratory control (RCR) and the ADP/O ratio were not affected. Pb²⁺ caused an increase in ATP content and the ATP/ADP ratio in pea and maize leaves. Rapid fractionation of barley protoplasts incubated at low and high CO₂ conditions, indicated that the increased ATP/ADP ratio in Pb²⁺-treated leaves resulted mainly from the production of mitochondrial ATP. The measurements of membrane potential of mitochondria with a TPP⁺-sensitive electrode further showed that mitochondria isolated from Pb²⁺-treated leaves had at least as high membrane potential as mitochondria from control leaves. The activity of NAD-malate dehydrogenase in the protoplasts from barley leaves treated with Pb²⁺ was 3-fold higher than in protoplasts from control leaves. The activities of photorespiratory enzymes NADH-hydroxypyruvate reductase and glycolate oxidase as well as of NAD-malic enzyme were not affected. The presented data indicate that stimulation of respiration in leaves treated by lead is in a close relationship with activation of malate dehydrogenase and stimulation of the mitochondrial ATP production. Thus, respiration might fulfil a protective role during heavy metal exposure.     

Photosynthetic characteristics and tolerance to photo-oxidation of transgenic rice expressing C4 photosynthesis enzymes

The photosynthetic characteristics of four transgenic rice lines over-expressing rice NADP-malic enzyme (ME), and maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PC), pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase (PK), and PC+PK (CK) were investigated using outdoor-grown plants. Relative to untransformed wild-type (WT) rice, PC transgenic rice exhibited high PC activity (25-fold increase) and enhanced activity of carbonic anhydrase (more than two-fold increase), while the activity of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and its kinetic property were not significantly altered. The PC transgenic plants also showed a higher light intensity for saturation of photosynthesis, higher photosynthetic CO₂ uptake rate and carboxylation efficiency, and slightly reduced CO₂ compensation point. In addition, chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis indicates that PC transgenic plants are more tolerant to photo-oxidative stress, due to a higher capacity to quench excess light energy via photochemical and non-photochemical means. Furthermore, PC and CK transgenic rice produced 22–24% more grains than WT plants. Taken together, these results suggest that expression of maize C₄ photosynthesis enzymes in rice, a C₃ plant, can improve its photosynthetic capacity with enhanced tolerance to photo-oxidation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Immunogold localization of photosynthetic enzymes in leaves of Aristida latifolia, a unique C4 grass with a double chlorenchymatous bundle sheath

C₄ species of the genus Aristida (Poaceae) have 3 distinct types of photosynthetic cells in their leaves, the mesophyll (M) cells, the outer bundle sheath (BS) cells, and the inner BS cells, and exhibit a unique Kranz-type leaf anatomy. The cellular localization of C₃ and C₄ photosynthetic enzymes was investigated in leaves of Aristida latifolia Domin by the protein A-gold immunocytochemical technique. The outer BS cells contained centripetally located small chloroplasts, which were structurally similar to those of the M cells. The inner BS cells contained centrifugally located large chloroplasts, which lacked well-developed grana and exhibited rudimentary grana for the most part. The leaves contained high levels of NADP-malic enzyme (EC 1.1.1.40) activity, and the plant was classified as being of the NADP-malic enzyme type. The immunocytochemical study revealed that labeling of ribulose 1,5-bisphos-phate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39) was present in the chloroplasts of the outer and inner BS cells, but was undetectable in the M cells. Labeling of phoshoen-olpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) was observed in the cytosol of M cells, but not in that of BS cells. By contrast, labeling of pyruvate, P_i dikinase (PPDK, EC 2.7.9.1) was evident not only in the chloroplasts of M cells but also in those of outer BS cells, but was absent from the inner BS cells. The density of labeling in the chloroplasts of M cells was higher than that in chloroplasts of outer BS cells. These results indicate that the two carboxylating enzymes are differentially distributed between the M cells and the two types of BS cells, whereas PPDK shows a more complex distribution pattern. The locations of these enzymes are discussed in relation to C₄ photosynthesis.     

The interaction of high temperature and elevated CO2 on photosynthetic acclimation of single leaves of rice in situ

Rice ( Oryza sativa L. cv. IR72) was grown at three different CO₂ concentrations (ambient, ambient + 200 μmol mol⁻¹, ambient + 300 μmol mol⁻¹) at two different growth temperatures (ambient, ambient + 4°C) from sowing to maturity to determine longterm photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO₂ with and without increasing temperature. Single leaves of rice showed a cooperative enhancement of photosynthetic rate with elevated CO₂ and temperature during tillering, relative to the elevated CO₂ condition alone. However, after flowering, the degree of photosynthetic stimulation by elevated CO₂ was reduced for the ambient + 4°C treatment. This increasing insensitivity to CO₂ appeared to be accompanied by a reduction in ribulose-1.5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity and/or concentration as evidenced by the reduction in the assimilation (A) to internal CO₂ (C₁) response curve. The reproductive response (e.g. percent filled grains, panicle weight) was reduced at the higher growth temperature and presumably reflects a greater increase in floral sterility. Results indicate that while CO₂ and temperature could act synergistically at the biochemical level, the direct effect of temperature on floral development with a subsequent reduction in carbon utilization may change sink strength so as to limit photosynthetic stimulation by elevated CO₂ concentration.     

浓度NO对高表达转玉米C4型pepc水稻光合的促进

为了揭示C₃植物中C₄ pepc高表达带来的生理差异与其高光合效率的关系。本文以高表达的转玉米C₄ pepc光合基因水稻（PC）及原种Kitaake(WT）为材料,通过水培在孕穗期通过根吸入的方法,进行不同浓度的NO供体、NO合成抑制剂以及相关影响信号分子的试剂单独和联合过夜处理12 h,选取倒二叶研究NO对供试材料净光合速率（P_n）,气孔导度(G_s)和胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)的影响。结果表明：WT和PC在200 μmol·L^-1 SNP（Sodium nitroprusside）和1 mmol·L^-1 L-Arg(L-Arginine)处理下,P_n分别增加20.8%、10.7%,差异显著（p<0.05）;随SNP和L-Arg浓度的增加,其表现不同程度的抑制,与PC相比,WT的P_n抑制更显著（p<0.05）,而G_s和C_i的变化则相反（p<0.05）;进一步结合200 μmol·L^-1 SNP和1 mmol·L^-1 L-Arg与SA处理,结果与高浓度的NO供体处理类似;在联合6 mmol·L^-1 Ca²⁺螯合剂EGTA处理下,与PC相比,WT的P_n抑制达到极显著水平（p<0.01）,C_i的变化则相反（p<0.05）。相关分析结果表明：PC的P_n的高低与G_s的相关性小于WT,PC与WT决定系数分别为0.654 9、0.773 5;而与C_i的相关性则更大些,PC与WT决定系数分别为0.466 5、0.419 6,显示PC可能有不同的调节方式,尤其在低浓度的NO,PC可在Ca²⁺参与下调节气孔的开放,在气孔关闭的条件下,仍能维持一定的P_n。     

The appearance of a new molecular species of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and the rapid induction of CAM in Sedum telephium L.

Abstract. When detached leaves of Sedum telephium are incubated in the absence of water, a rapid switch from C₃ photosynthesis to CAM (as indicated by the onset of day-to-night fluctuations in titratable acidity. ΔH⁺) occurs within the first dark period. The C₃-CAM switch in intact plants occurs within 3 5d. Extractable activity of phospho enol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) increases five-fold in intact plants during CAM induction; however, during rapid CAM induction in detached leaves, there is only a very small increase in PEPC activity. Fractionation by anion exchange chromatography of crude extracts from leaves of intact plants subjected to water deficit shows that CAM induction is associated with the appearance of a molecular species of PEPC termed PEPC I. PEPC I is barely detectable in well-watered plants which are not performing CAM. The major form in these plants is termed PEPC II. In leaves from intact plants, there is a significant positive correlation between PEPC I activity and ΔH⁺ during a period of increasing water deficit. PEPC I exhibits day to night fluctuations in malate sensitivity, being less sensitive during the dark period. In contrast, PEPC II is more sensitive to inhibition by malate and has no day to night fluctuation in sensitivity. In detached leaves deprived of water, a small increase in PEPC I capacity is detected at the end of the first dark period (20 h after the start of treatment). The results suggest that PEPC I is required for attainment of maximum nocturnal malic acid synthesis. There is a significant correlation between leaf water status (relative water content), ΔH⁺, total PEPC and PEPC I activity suggesting that the internal water status of the plant may be a trigger for CAM induction. Abscisic acid applied to detached leaves does not cause nocturnal acidification.     

Characteristics of Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Antioxidant-Oxidant Balance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">PEPC</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">PPDK</Emphasis> Transgenic Rice under Aluminum Stress

Aluminum is one of the most important heavy metals inducing stress during plant growth and development. In this study, transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L., cv. Kitaake) plants expressing the maize C₄PEPC and PPDK genes were evaluated for aluminum tolerance. A 4.3 and 19.1 folds increase of PPDK and PEPC activities in transgenic rice produced increases in root exudation of oxalate, malate, and citrate (1.20, 1.41, and 1.65 times, respectively) compared to untransformed (WT) plants. Transgenic rice had enhanced aluminum tolerance compared to WT based on chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll levels. Transgenic plants under aluminum stress also had decreased lipid membrane oxidative damage and higher levels of ROS-scavenging enzyme activity. The PEPC and PPDK genes play an important role in aluminum stress tolerance by increasing the effluxes of organic acids.