A dominant role of transcriptional regulation during the evolution of C₄ photosynthesis in Flaveria species.

ABSTRACT: C₄ photosynthesis exemplifies convergent evolution of complex traits. Herein, we construct chromosome-scale genome assemblies and perform multi-omics analysis for five Flaveria species, which represent evolutionary stages from C₃ to C₄ photosynthesis. Chromosome-scale genome sequence analyses reveal a gradual increase in genome size during the evolution of C₄ photosynthesis attributed to the expansion of transposable elements. Systematic annotation of genes encoding C₄ enzymes and transporters identify additional copies of three C₄ enzyme genes through retrotranspositions in C₄ species. C₄ genes exhibit elevated mRNA and protein abundances, reduced protein-to-RNA ratios, and comparable translation effic

SUBMITTER: Lyu MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11828953 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature