Organelle-to-nucleus DNA transfer is an ongoing process playing an important role in the evolution of eukaryotic life. Here, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of non-photochemical quenching parameters in 743 Populus trichocarpa accessions identified a nuclear-encoded genomic region associated with variation in photosynthesis under fluctuating light. The identified gene, BOOSTER (BSTR), comprises three exons, two with apparent endophytic origin and the third containing a large fragment of plastid-encoded Rubisco large subunit. Higher expression of BSTR facilitated anterograde signaling between nucleus and plastid, which corresponded to enhanced expression of Rubisco, increased photosynthesis, and up to 35% greater plant height and 88% biomass in poplar accessions under field conditions. Overexpression of BSTR in Populus tremula × P. alba achieved up to a 200% in plant height. Similarly, Arabidopsis plants heterologously expressing BSTR gained up to 200% in biomass and up to 50% increase in seed.

中文翻译：

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孤儿基因 BOOSTER 提高光合作用效率和植物生产力


细胞器到细胞核的 DNA 转移是一个持续的过程，在真核生物的进化中起着重要作用。在这里，743 个毛果杨种质中非光化学猝灭参数的全基因组关联研究 （GWAS） 确定了一个与波动光下光合作用变化相关的核编码基因组区域。鉴定的基因 BOOSTER （BSTR） 包含三个外显子，其中两个具有明显的内生起源，第三个包含质体编码的 Rubisco 大亚基的大片段。BSTR 的较高表达促进了细胞核和质体之间的顺行信号传导，这与 Rubisco 的表达增强、光合作用增加以及田间条件下杨树种质中植物高度增加 35% 和生物量增加 88% 相对应。BSTR 在 Populus tremula × P. alba 中的过表达在株高中实现了高达 200%。同样，异源表达 BSTR 的拟南芥植物的生物量增加了 200%，种子增加了 50%。