Overexpression of Dwarf Gene Enhances Photosynthetic Capacity of Tomato

Manipulation of brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis or signaling is a promising strategy for improving crop yield. However, the mechanisms of BR-regulated photosynthetic capacity are not clear. Xiao-Jing Li, together with researchers from Zheijang University, generated transgenic tomato plants by overexpressing Dwarf, a BR biosynthetic gene that encodes the CYP85A1, and compared the photosynthetic capacity with the BR deficient mutant (d ^im) and wild types (WT).

Overexpression of Dwarf promoted net photosynthetic rate, while BR deficient d ^im had and inhibited net photosynthetic rate compared with WT. Dwarf-overexpression enhanced the activity of dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase, leading to a reduced redox status. This reduced redox status maintained the activity of Calvin cycle enzymes, leading to an enhanced photosynthetic rate.

For more on the study, read the full article on BMC Plant Biology.