A transcription factor module mediating C2 photosynthesis in the Brassicaceae

ABSTRACT: C4 photosynthesis has arisen in over sixty lineages of angiosperms. It is widely accepted that an early step in C4 evolution is associated with the appearance of C2 photosynthesis caused by loss of glycine decarboxylase activity from mesophyll cells before activation in the bundle sheath. Although changes in cis upstream of the GLDP gene from C2 Moricandia enable loss of expression from mesophyll cells, the mechanism allowing GLDP expression in the bundle sheath is not known. Here we identify a MYC-MYB transcription factor module as the basis of this event in the evolution of C2 photosynthesis. In the C3 state, this MYC-MYB module patterns GLDP expression to bundle sheath cells. When GLDP expression is lost from the mesophyll, MYC-MYB dependent expression in the bundle sheath is revealed.

SUBMITTER: Julian, M Hibberd 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44319-025-00461-1 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other