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The Arabidopsis thaliana aquaporin AtPIP1;2 is a physiologically relevant CO 2 transport facilitator
Author(s) -
Heckwolf Marlies,
Pater Dianne,
Hanson David T.,
Kaldenhoff Ralf
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-313x.2011.04634.x
Subject(s) - facilitator , arabidopsis thaliana , aquaporin , major facilitator superfamily , chemistry , arabidopsis , transporter , political science , biochemistry , gene , mutant , law
Summary Cellular exchange of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is of extraordinary importance for life. Despite this significance, its molecular mechanisms are still unclear and a matter of controversy. In contrast to other living organisms, plants are physiologically limited by the availability of CO 2 . In most plants, net photosynthesis is directly dependent on CO 2 diffusion from the atmosphere to the chloroplast. Thus, it is important to analyze CO 2 transport with regards to its effect on photosynthesis. A mutation of the Arabidopsis thaliana AtPIP1;2 gene, which was characterized as a non‐water transporting but CO 2 transport‐facilitating aquaporin in heterologous expression systems, correlated with a reduction in photosynthesis under a wide range of atmospheric CO 2 concentrations. Here, we could demonstrate that the effect was caused by reduced CO 2 conductivity in leaf tissue. It is concluded that the AtPIP1;2 gene product limits CO 2 diffusion and photosynthesis in leaves.