Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 overexpression increases yield in Nicotiana Tabacum under drought stress by improving source and sink metabolism

Barreto, Pedro; Yassitepe, Juliana E.C.T.; Wilson, Zoe A.; Arruda, Paulo

doi:10.3389/fpls.2017.01836

Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 overexpression increases yield in Nicotiana Tabacum under drought stress by improving source and sink metabolism

Barreto, Pedro; Yassitepe, Juliana E.C.T.; Wilson, Zoe A.; Arruda, Paulo

Authors

Pedro Barreto

Juliana E.C.T. Yassitepe

ZOE WILSON ZOE.WILSON@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Pro Vice Chancellor Faculty of Science

Paulo Arruda

Abstract

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) sustain mitochondrial respiration independent of intracellular ATP concentration. Uncoupled respiration is particularly beneficial under stress conditions, during which both photosynthesis and respiration may be impaired. Sustaining carbon fixation during the reproductive phase is essential for plants to develop viable pollen grains and for seed setting. Here, we examined whether UCP1 overexpression (UCP1-oe) would help tobacco plants cope with drought stress during reproductive development. We observed that WT and UCP1-oe plants lost water at the same rate under moderate drought stress, but that UCP1-oe lines regained water faster upon rewatering. UCP1-oe plants maintained higher levels of respiration and photosynthesis and decreased H2O2 content in the leaves during the drought stress period. We examined whether UCP1-oe impacts reproductive tissues and seed production by monitoring the progress of flower development, focusing on the early stages of pollen formation. UCP1-oe lines induced the expression of mitochondrial genes and increased mtDNA content in reproductive tissues, which increased the consumption of carbohydrates and reduced H2O2 content and pollen disturbances. Finally, the beneficial impact of UCP1-oe on the source and sink organs resulted in an increased seed size and number under both control conditions and drought stress.

Citation

Barreto, P., Yassitepe, J. E., Wilson, Z. A., & Arruda, P. (2017). Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 overexpression increases yield in Nicotiana Tabacum under drought stress by improving source and sink metabolism. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8, Article 1836. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01836

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Oct 10, 2017
Online Publication Date	Nov 1, 2017
Publication Date	Nov 1, 2017
Deposit Date	Oct 13, 2017
Publicly Available Date	Aug 15, 2018
Journal	Frontiers in Plant Science
Electronic ISSN	1664-462X
Publisher	Frontiers Media
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	8
Article Number	1836
DOI	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01836
Keywords	UCP1, drought stress, mitochondria, photosynthesis, yield
Public URL	https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/887265
Publisher URL	https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2017.01836/full
Contract Date	Oct 13, 2017