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C4 Photosynthesis and Related CO2 Concentrating Mechanisms pp 109–128Cite as

Chapter 7 Nitrogen and Sulfur Metabolism in C4 Plants

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Part of the book series: Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration ((AIPH,volume 32))

Summary

C4 photosynthetic mechanism is based on a spatial separation of CO2 assimilating enzymes. The assimilation of two mineral nutrients, nitrogen and sulfur, is also localized in a cell-specific manner in most C4 species. N assimilation seems to be confined to mesophyll whereas sulfate reduction has been previously reported to be bundle sheath specific. The latter view has been challenged by finding an ubiquitous presence of enzymes of sulfate assimilation in the dicot C4 species of Flaveria. Although inter- and intracellular distribution of enzymes of N assimilation in C4 plants differ from C3 plants and C4 plants have a better N use efficiency, very little is known about the physiological consequences of this distribution. Analogically, no evolutionary advantage for the BSC localization of sulfate assimilation has been identified. On the other hand, the organization and general regulation of the pathways is the same in C3 and C4 plants. In this chapter the two essential pathways of plant primary metabolism, nitrate and sulfate assimilation, as well as the synthesis of glutathione, the major sulfur containing metabolite involved in stress defense, will be described. The general regulation of the pathways as well as specific features connected with C4 photosynthesis will be discussed. The major open questions of N and S metabolism in C4 plants will be addressed.

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Abbreviations

APR:

Adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate reductase

APS:

Adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate

ATPS:

ATP sulfurylase

BSC:

Bundle sheath cells

ΓEC:

γ-Glutamylcysteine

ΓECS:

γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase

GOGAT:

Glutamate synthase

GR:

Glutathione reductase

GS:

Glutamine synthetase

GSH:

Glutathione

GSHS:

Glutathione synthetase

GSSG:

Oxidized glutathione, glutathione disulfide

MC:

Mesophyll cells

NR:

Nitrate reductase

OAS:

O-Acetylserine

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

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Acknowledgments

Research in Stanislav Kopriva’s laboratory at John Innes Centre is supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

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  1. John Innes Centre, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK

    Stanislav Kopriva

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  1. School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India

    Agepati S. Raghavendra

  2. Dept. Botany, University of Toronto, Willcocks Street 25, Toronto, M5S 3B2, Ontario, Canada

    Rowan F. Sage

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Kopriva, S. (2010). Chapter 7 Nitrogen and Sulfur Metabolism in C4 Plants. In: Raghavendra, A., Sage, R. (eds) C4 Photosynthesis and Related CO2 Concentrating Mechanisms. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration, vol 32. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9407-0_7

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