The role of cyanide‐resistant respiration in Solanum tuberosum L. against high light stress

Cyanide‐resistant respiration in potato mitochondria is an important pathway for energy dissipation. It can be activated by high light; however, it is unclear what roles cyanide‐resistant respiration plays in the response to high light stress in potato. We designed a CRISPR vector for the functional gene StAOX of the potato cyanide‐resistant respiratory pathway. Agrobacterium tumefaciens GV3101 was transformed into potato. Hydrogen peroxide level, MDA content, antioxidant activity and cyanide‐resistant respiratory capacity of potato leaves under high light stress were determined. Photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll content were determined. In addition, the operation of the malate–oxaloacetate shuttle route and transcription level of photorespiration‐related enzymes were also examined. The results showed that two base substitutions occurred at the sequencing target site on leaves of the transformed potato. Accumulation of ROS and increased membrane lipid peroxidation were detected in the transformed potato leaves and lower photosynthetic efficiency was observed. The transcription level of the malate–oxaloacetate shuttle route and photorespiration‐related enzymes also significantly increased. These results indicate that the cyanide‐resistant respiration is an important physiological pathway in potato in response to high light stress. It also suggests that plant cyanide‐resistant respiration is closely related to photosynthesis. This implies the unexplored importance of plant cyanide‐resistant respiration in plant photosynthesis, energy conversion and carbon skeleton formation.