Molecular analysis of photosynthetically-linked, active CO2 uptake and CO2 signal transduction by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have evolved a very efficient means of capturing and concentrating CO2 for photosynthetic fixation into sugars, the basic building blocks for cell growth. This process is dependent on the operation of several unique, active uptake systems for CO2 and HCO3-, with their genetic expression regulated by CO2 supply. This proposal will cap ....Molecular analysis of photosynthetically-linked, active CO2 uptake and CO2 signal transduction by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have evolved a very efficient means of capturing and concentrating CO2 for photosynthetic fixation into sugars, the basic building blocks for cell growth. This process is dependent on the operation of several unique, active uptake systems for CO2 and HCO3-, with their genetic expression regulated by CO2 supply. This proposal will capitalize on our progress in describing the functional genetics of this process and aims to elucidate the mechanism of active CO2 uptake and the way that cells sense the ambient CO2 concentration. The information gained is likely to be useful for designing improved crops.Read moreRead less
Photosynthetically active bicarbonate transporters from cyanobacteria & their rational redesign for application in engineered crops that use less water. Marine blue-green algae are critical components of global primary productivity and fisheries productivity but CO2 acquisition processes in these organisms are poorly understood. Our aim is to determine the protein structure and regulatory controls present in two classes of cyanobacterial bicarbonate transporters that are required for efficient p ....Photosynthetically active bicarbonate transporters from cyanobacteria & their rational redesign for application in engineered crops that use less water. Marine blue-green algae are critical components of global primary productivity and fisheries productivity but CO2 acquisition processes in these organisms are poorly understood. Our aim is to determine the protein structure and regulatory controls present in two classes of cyanobacterial bicarbonate transporters that are required for efficient photosynthesis. This information is now critical to the our goal of redesigning these bicarbonate transporters so they will be functional in plants, thereby contributing to the applied objective of engineering crop plants that could produce good grain yields with reduced water requirements.Read moreRead less