We reveal the structural basis of transport activity and substrate selectivity of LciA, a key bicarbonate channel that is part of the CO2-concentrating mechanism in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Using these insights, we engineered formate–nitrite transporter (FNT) family proteins to achieve or enhance bicarbonate transport, thereby expanding the toolkit for boosting plant photosynthesis.
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References
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This is a summary of: Guo, J. et al. Structure of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii LciA guided the engineering of FNT family proteins to gain bicarbonate transport activity. Nat. Plants https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-025-02200-9 (2026).
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Structure-based engineering of bicarbonate transport activity unlocks the CO2-concentrating mechanism. Nat. Plants 12, 16–17 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-025-02208-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41477-025-02208-1
