Regulation of Source Leaf Carbon Allocation to Export and Storage

在自然的每日光循环下，叶子在逐渐变化的光合作用速率和黑暗代谢速率之间交替，但提供稳定的蔗糖供应，维持植物生长部分的不间断发育。为了做到这一点，叶片必须在光照不足的时期使用储存的碳水化合物，并在光合作用速率增加的时期输出和储存碳。调节叶片的碳水化合物代谢和输出提供了满足这些需求的手段。这个研究项目将研究树叶维持出口蔗糖稳定供应的关键过程。面对大气中二氧化碳的增加和植物基因操纵可能导致的碳供应和利用之间的平衡改变，碳供应的调节对于维持植物的平衡功能尤为重要。

Leaves alternate between periods of gradually changing rates of photosynthesis and of dark metabolism under the natural daily cycle of light, yet provide a steady supply of sucrose which sustains uninterrupted development of growing parts of the plant. To do this, leaves must use stored carbohydrate during periods of low light and export and store carbon during periods of increased rates of photosynthesis. Regulation of leaf carbohydrate metabolism and export from leaves provides the means to meet these demands. This research project will study key processes by which leaves maintain this steady supply of sucrose for export. Regulation of carbon supply is particularly important for maintaining balanced functioning of plants in the face of rising atmospheric CO2 and altered balance between carbon supply and use that may result from genetic manipulation of plants.