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Decrease in Phosphoribulokinase Activity by Antisense RNA in Transgenic Tobacco. Relationship between Photosynthesis, Growth, and Allocation at Different Nitrogen Levels1

Fiona M. Banks, Simon P. Driscoll, Martin A.J. Parry, David W. Lawlor, Jacqui S. Knight, John C. Gray, and Matthew J. Paul*

Biochemistry and Physiology Department, IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom (F.M.B., S.P.D., M.A.J.P., D.W.L., M.J.P.); and Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EA, United Kingdom (J.S.K, J.C.G.)

To study the direct effects of photosynthesis on allocation of biomass by altering photosynthesis without altering leaf N or nitrate content, phosphoribulokinase (PRK) activity was decreased in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) with an inverted tobacco PRK cDNA and plants were grown at different N levels (0.4 and 5 mM NH4NO3). The activation state of PRK increased as the amount of enzyme was decreased genetically at both levels of N. At high N a 94% decrease in PRK activity had only a small effect (20%) on photosynthesis and growth. At low N a 94% decrease in PRK activity had a greater effect on leaf photosynthesis (decreased by up to 50%) and whole-plant photosynthesis (decreased by up to 35%) than at high N. These plants were up to 35% smaller than plants with higher PRK activities because they had less structural dry matter and less starch, which was decreased by 3- to 4-fold, but still accumulated to 24% to 31% of dry weight; young leaves contained more starch than older leaves in older plants. Leaves had a higher ion and water content, and specific leaf area was higher, but allocation between shoot and root was unaltered. In conclusion, low N in addition to a 94% decrease in PRK by antisense reduces the activity of PRK sufficient to diminish photosynthesis, which limits biomass production under conditions normally considered sink limited.

1   IACR receives grant-aided support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) of the United Kingdom. This work was supported by a grant from the BBSRC Clean Technology Initiative.
*   Corresponding author; e-mail matthew.paul{at}bbsrc.ac.uk; fax 44-1582-760981.

Plant Physiol. (1999) 119: 1125-1136
Copyright Clearance Center:   0032-0889/99/119//12
© 1999 American Society of Plant Physiologists




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