Elucidating mechanisms of photosynthesis repression based on protein-oxidation system

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21268
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 38:Agricultural chemistry and related fields
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Yoshida Keisuke 東京工業大学, 科学技術創成研究院, 准教授 (40632310)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 光合成 / レドックス制御 / タンパク質酸化 / チオレドキシン / チオレドキシン様タンパク質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focused on the redox regulation system, which is the key to the control of plant photosynthesis. Based on the recent identification of protein-oxidation factor, I tried to uncover the oxidation side of redox regulation system, which has been a long-standing gap in the field. Through a series of biochemical and physiological studies, I have gained important insights into novel chloroplast functions activated by oxidation, the molecular machinery supporting the oxidation side of the redox regulation system, and the impact of oxidative regulation on plant growth. These results provide an important clue regarding how photosynthesis is suppressed during the night.

Free Research Field

植物生理科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、「植物は変動する光環境の中で光合成をどのように制御して、持続的なバイオマス生産を成し遂げているのか」ということへの理解を、基礎科学の観点から確実に推し進めたものと言える。この知見は、光合成機能の強化による農作物の収量増加といった応用研究への展開のためにも、重要な情報を提供するものである。