Conserved spatial patterning of gene expression in independent lineages of C₄ plants.

ABSTRACT: C₄ photosynthesis enhances carbon fixation efficiency by reducing photorespiration through the use of an oxygen-insensitive carboxylase and spatial separation of photosynthesis between mesophyll and bundle sheath cells. The C₄ pathway has evolved independently in > 60 plant lineages, but molecular mechanisms underpinning this convergence remain unclear. To explore this, we generated high-resolution transcriptome atlases for two independently evolved C₄ dicotyledonous species - Gynandropsis gynandra (NAD-malic enzyme subtype) and Flaveria bidentis (NADP-malic enzyme subtype). We used both single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing to capture gene expression profiles from individual leaf cells, enabling a detailed comparison between cell types and transcri

SUBMITTER: Sun T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12676079 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature