How Plants Use SLAC1 Channels to Control CO2
Author Information
Author(s): Du Qi-Shi, Fan Xina-Wei, Wang Cheng-Hua, Huang Ri-Bo
Primary Institution: National Engineering Research Center for Non-Food Biorefinery, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China
Hypothesis
How does the concentration of HCO3– and CO2 activate the SLAC1 to maintain the influx of anions and adjust the pressure in guard cells of stomata?
Conclusion
The SLAC1 channel enhances CO2 concentration around 104 times, providing a pathway for CO2 for photosynthesis in guard cells.
Supporting Evidence
- The SLAC1 channel is activated by bicarbonate, which enhances CO2 concentration.
- CO2 is stored in a hydrophobic region of the SLAC1 channel, acting as a CO2 pool.
- The pH difference across the SLAC1 channel enhances CO2 conduction.
- SLAC1 may provide a pathway for CO2 supply in plant guard cells.
Takeaway
Plants have tiny openings called stomata that let in CO2 for photosynthesis, and a special channel called SLAC1 helps them control how much CO2 gets in.
Methodology
The study used homology modeling and physicochemical calculations to analyze the SLAC1 channel structure and its CO2 conducting mechanism.
Limitations
The calculations for CO2 concentration are not rigorous and rely on assumed pH values.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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