Transgenic expression of Rubisco accumulation factor2 and Rubisco subunits increases photosynthesis and growth in maize.

This article focuses on the effects of overexpressing Rubisco assembly factors Raf1 and Raf2, along with Rubisco large (LS) and small (SS) subunits, on photosynthesis and growth in transgenic maize (Zea mays). The study demonstrates that while increased expression of Raf2 alone has minimal impact, co-expression of Raf2 with LS and SS subunits significantly enhances Rubisco content, carbon assimilation rates, and plant height, particularly in plants older than six weeks, with effects comparable to those observed for Raf1 co-expression. Both Raf1 and Raf2 appear to independently improve Rubisco assembly and photosynthetic performance, including under chilling stress, although their precise roles in Rubisco biogenesis differ and may involve some functional redundancy. These findings suggest that manipulating Rubisco assembly factors alongside subunit expression is a promising strategy to increase photosynthetic capacity and biomass in maize, with potential implications for crop productivity under varying environmental conditions.