Journal Article

Seed photorespiration: a perspective review

Carvalho, Marcia Eugenia Amaral, de Camargo e Castro, Paulo Roberto, Barboza da Silva, Clíssia, Labate, Carlos Alberto, Azevedo, Ricardo Antunes

2022

Overview

The existence of chlorophylls in seeds indicates the presence of the photosynthetic apparatus, which is frequently associated with photosynthesis. However, this paper gathered evidences suggesting the functioning of the photorespiratory metabolism in seed tissues. For instance, the presence of transcripts, occurrence of proteins and detection of activity of enzymes related to photorespiration, as well as an increased production of compounds that are classical photorespiratory biomarkers (such as glycolate, glycine and serine), were detected. In seeds, photorespiration may act as a tool for the modulation of micro-environment (by changing [CO2], [O2] and pH), regulation of the synthesis of signaling compounds [for example, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ethylene (C2H4)] and adjustment of nutrition (for instance, by affecting nitrogen to carbon balance), especially in response to developmental and environmental clues. This paper sheds light on the metabolism of seeds, which have agronomic, social and ecological relevancies.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Biomarkers / Carbon dioxide / Chlorophyll / Chloroplasts / Embryos / Enzymes / Glycine / Hydrogen peroxide / Metabolism / Metabolites / Nutrition / Photorespiration / Photosynthesis / Photosynthetic apparatus / Seeds