Enhancing photosynthesis with sugar signals.
Photosynthesis has long been a target in the quest to maximize crop productivity to feed burgeoning populations. Recent evidence suggests that improved photosynthetic performance can be most easily achieved by modifying sugar-signalling mechanisms that control the expression of genes for whole pathways and processes that determine photosynthetic capacity and source-sink balance, rather than by directly targeting individual 'key' enzymes. Here, we highlight recent progress and support for the hypothesis that genetic modification of trehalose metabolism through its interaction with sugar-signalling pathways can enhance photosynthetic capacity.
Paul
M
M
Crop Performance and Improvement, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, UK AL5 2JQ. matthew.paul@bbsrc.ac.uk
Pellny
T
T
Goddijn
O
O
D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*