Exploring the mechanism of C4 photosynthetic differentiation through a unified comparative analysis of maize and rice leaf transcriptomes

ABSTRACT: Maize and rice are the two most economically important grass crops and utilize distinct forms of photosynthesis to fix carbon: C4 and C3 respectively. Relative to C3 photosynthesis, C4 photosynthesis reduces photorespiration and affords higher water and nitrogen use efficiencies under hot arid conditions. To define key innovations in C4 photosynthesis, we profiled metabolites and gene expression along a developing leaf gradient. A novel statistical method was implemented to compare transcriptomes from these two species along a unified leaf developmental gradient and define candidate cis-regulatory elements and transcription factors driving photosynthetic gene expression. We also present comparative primary and secondary metabolic profiles along the gradients that provide new insight into n

ORGANISM(S): Zea mays

SUBMITTER: Timothy Nelson 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-54274 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress