The Arabidopsis thaliana aquaporin AtPIP1;2 is a physiologically relevant CO₂ transport facilitator

Abstract

Cellular exchange of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is of extraordinary importance for life. Despite this significance, its molecular mechanisms are still unclear and a matter of controversy. In contrast to other living organisms, plants are physiologically limited by the availability of CO₂. In most plants, net photosynthesis is directly dependent on CO₂ diffusion from the atmosphere to the chloroplast. Thus, it is important to analyze CO₂ transport with regards to its effect on photosynthesis. A mutation of the Arabidopsis thaliana AtPIP1;2 gene, which was characterized as a non-water transporting but CO₂ transport-facilitating aquaporin in heterologous expression systems, correlated with a reduction in photosynthesis under a wide range of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Here, we could demonstrate that the effect was caused by reduced CO₂ conductivity in leaf tissue. It is concluded that the AtPIP1;2 gene product limits CO₂ diffusion and photosynthesis in leaves.