Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: To conserve water in arid environments, numerous plant lineages have independently evolved Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). Interestingly, Isoetes , an aquatic lycophyte, can also perform CAM as an adaptation to low CO 2 availability underwater. However, little is known about the evolution of CAM in aquatic plants and the lack of genomic data has hindered comparison between aquatic and terrestrial CAM. Here, we investigate underwater CAM in Isoetes taiwanensis by generating a high-quality genome assembly and RNA-seq time course. Despite broad similarities between CAM in Isoetes and terrestrial angiosperms, we identify several key differences. Notably, Isoetes may have recruited the lesser-known ‘bacterial-type’ PEPC, along with the ‘plant-type’ exclusively used in other CAM and C4 plants for carboxylation of PEP. Furthermore, we find that circadian control of key CAM pathway genes has diverged considerably in Isoetes relative to flowering plants. This suggests the existence of more evolutionary paths to CAM than previously recognized.
Source: Nature Communications
Institutions: Cornell University, Boyce Thompson Institute, National Tsing Hua University, University of Göttingen, Campus-Institut Data Science (CIDAS), Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Arizona, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, New York State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,560
Awards: G3953187464, G434337789, G680535423
OpenAlex ID: W3208711466