Single-cell multi-omics reveals distinct regulatory architectures coordinating carbon assimilation and cyclic electron flow in maize C(4) photosynthesis.

Bundle sheath DOF regulation of the ZmNdhU promoter is linked to NDH-mediated cyclic electron flow, with a 49 bp DOF-responsive cis element enabling vascular-bundle reporter activity.

• Why it matters: C4 photosynthesis repeatedly reuses regulatory parts, but it is unclear how shared control coordinates carbon assimilation with interdependent cyclic electron flow.
• What they did: The study integrated single-nucleus RNA-seq and sci-ATAC-seq with bulk H3K27me3 and transcription factor binding profiles from protoplasts, then tested ZmNdhU promoter constructs for DOF-responsive activity.
• The result: Bundle sheath-enriched ZmDOF30 increased NDH-associated expression, cyclic electron flow, leaf ATP content, and photosynthetic performance, and transgenic field lines showed increased growth and biomass.

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