- By:
- Feyissa, Biruk A; De becker, Elsa; Salesse-Smith, Coralie; Zhang, Jin ; Yates, Timothy B; Xie, Meng ; De, Kuntal ; Gotarkar, Dhananjay N; Chen, Margot; Jawdy, Sara S; Carper, Dana L; Barry, Kerrie; Schmutz, Jeremy; Weston, David J; Abraham, Paul E; Tsai, Chung-Jui; Morrell-Falvey, Jennifer L; Taylor, Gail; Chen, Jin-Gui ; Tuskan, Gerald A; Long, Stephen; Burgess, Steven J; Muchero, Wellington
- Journal Name:
- Developmental Cell
- Page Number:
- 1-12
- Volume:
- 60
- Publication Date:
- February 5, 2025
- View DOI Listing:
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2024.11.002
Abstract
Organelle-to-nucleus DNA transfer is an ongoing process playing an important role in the evolution of eukaryotic life. Here, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of non-photochemical quenching parameters in 743 Populus trichocarpa accessions identified a nuclear-encoded genomic region associated with variation in photosynthesis under fluctuating light. The identified gene, BOOSTER (BSTR), comprises three exons, two with apparent endophytic origin and the third containing a large fragment of plastid-encoded Rubisco large subunit. Higher expression of BSTR facilitated anterograde signaling between nucleus and plastid, which corresponded to enhanced expression of Rubisco, increased photosynthesis, and up to 35% greater plant height and 88% biomass in poplar accessions under field conditions. Overexpression of BSTR in Populus tremula × P. alba achieved up to a 200% in plant height. Similarly, Arabidopsis plants heterologously expressing BSTR gained up to 200% in biomass and up to 50% increase in seed.
