Photosynthesis is established through two-staged chloroplast biogenesis in wheat

May 25, 2021

A detailed gene expression map of the developing leaf is developed

An international collaborative research team, including the RIKEN CSRS and Royal Holloway, University of London, examined the developmental process of the bread wheat leaf and found that photosynthesis in wheat is established through two-staged chloroplast biogenesis (plastid and chloroplast development stages).

The research team observed cellular characteristics in the wheat leaf such as cell size, chloroplast morphology, and copy number profile of chloroplast genome along with its developmental trajectory, and determined 15 stages of its development. Then, the research team investigated differentiation and development of chloroplasts, cell cycles, and expression of proteins and genes across the 15 stages. By integrating these time-series datasets, the research team established the first wheat leaf transcriptional map and one of the most comprehensive descriptions to date of the developmental trajectory of chloroplasts in higher plants, and highlighted that photosynthesis in the wheat leaf was established through two-staged chloroplast biogenesis.

These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the cellular system in chloroplast biogenesis underpinning photosynthesis that affect crop yields, as well as breeding to improve productivity in crops.

Original article
Genome Biology doi:10.1186/s13059-021-02366-3
N. Loudya, P. Mishra, K. Takahagi, Y. Uehara-Yamaguchi, K. Inoue, L. Bogre, K. Mochida, E. LópezJuez,
"Cellular and transcriptomic analyses reveal two-staged chloroplast biogenesis underpinning photosynthesis build-up in the wheat leaf".
Contact
Keiichi Mochida
Team Leader
Bioproductivity Informatics Research Team