Improving crop productivity by relieving the inhibitory effect imposed on photosynthesis by the redox regulatory network

Projektbeschreibung

Neue Kartoffellinien mit gesteigerter Produktivität

Die Nachfrage nach pflanzlichen Erzeugnissen steigt, die Erträge der wichtigsten Kulturpflanzen stagnieren jedoch. Zur Bewältigung dieser Herausforderung sind neue Strategien erforderlich, darunter die Steigerung der Photosyntheseeffizienz. Während die Wissenschaft noch die Rolle der oxidativen Signale bei der Photosynthese erkundet, haben neuere Forschungen ergeben, dass diese Signale die Photosyntheseleistung einschränken. Diese Erkenntnisse dienen als Grundlage für die Entwicklung innovativer Ansätze zur Steigerung der Photosyntheseeffizienz durch Redox-Modulationen. Das Ziel des ERC-finanzierten Projekts AgriRedox lautet, die Photosynthese bei Nutzpflanzen zu verbessern, indem die hemmenden Auswirkungen oxidativer Signale unter schwankenden Lichtbedingungen abgeschwächt werden. Das Projektziel besteht darin, die molekularen Komponenten, die den Oxidationsweg regulieren, aufzudecken und Technologien zur Verbesserung der Photosynthese in Kartoffelpflanzen zu entwickeln.

Ziel

While the global demand for crop production is constantly increasing and a significant increase in agricultural yields is required, we have witnessed stagnation in yield improvement of major crops. Hence, there is an urgent need for new strategies to ensure food security in a sustainable manner. It is becoming appreciated that improving photosynthetic efficiency is one of the most important ways to increase yield. While the dependence of photosynthesis on the reductive activation of the Calvin–Benson cycle enzymes is well established, the role of oxidative signals in counterbalancing the reductive activity is just beginning to be explored. By developing genetically encoded 2-Cys peroxiredoxin-based biosensors, we identified the simultaneous activation of reductive and oxidative signals during the photosynthesis induction phase and showed that 2-Cys peroxiredoxin activity attenuates carbon assimilation rates. These results demonstrated the restrictions imposed on photosynthesis performance by oxidative signals, thus laying the foundation for developing new approaches for increasing photosynthesis efficiency through redox modulations. The central goal of this proposal is to extend our mechanistic understanding of oxidative signal generation and perception and to develop new strategies to improve photosynthesis in crop plants by relieving the inhibitory effect of oxidative signals under fluctuating light conditions. We suggest applying advanced redox biology methodologies to discover the molecular components involved in regulating the oxidative pathway and to decipher the oxidation-sensitive proteome. Moreover, we suggest translating the gained knowledge into technologies that improve photosynthesis in potato plants, one of the world's most important crops. This project aims to provide the necessary knowledge to enhance photosynthesis through redox modification in crops and to produce new potato lines with higher productivity and adaptability to modern agriculture.