Manipulation of catalase levels produces altered photosynthesis in transgenic tobacco plants

Constructs containing the cDNAs encoding the primary leaf catalase in Nicotiana or subunit 1 of cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum) catalase were introduced in the sense and antisense orientation into the Nicotiana tabacum genome. The N. tabacum leaf cDNA specifically overexpressed CAT-1, the high catalytic form, activity. Antisense constructs reduced leaf catalase specific activities from 0.20 to 0.75 times those of wild type (WT), and overexpression constructs increased catalase specific activities from 1.25 to more than 2.0 times those of WT. The NADH-hydroxypyruvate reductase specific activity in transgenic plants was similar to that in WT. The effect of antisense constructs on photorespiration was studied in transgenic plants by measuring the CO(2) compensation point (Gamma) at a leaf temperature of 38 degrees C. A significant linear increase was observed in Gamma with decreasing catalase (at 50% lower catalase activity Gamma increased 39%). There was a significant temperature-dependent linear decrease in Gamma in transgenic leaves with elevated catalase compared with WT leaves (at 50% higher catalase Gamma decreased 17%). At 29 degrees C, Gamma also decreased with increasing catalase in transgenic leaves compared with WT leaves, but the trend was not statistically significant. Rates of dark respiration were the same in WT and transgenic leaves. Thus, photorespiratory losses of CO(2) were significantly reduced with increasing catalase activities at 38 degrees C, indicating that the stoichiometry of photorespiratory CO(2) formation per glycolate oxidized normally increases at higher temperatures because of enhanced peroxidation.