The ndhC gene encodes a transmembrane subunit of the chloroplast NDH complex, which is evolutionarily related to mitochondrial Complex I . In Brachypodium distachyon, knockdowns of related NDH subunits (e.g., ndhH) have been linked to disrupted redox homeostasis and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, emphasizing ndhC’s role in maintaining photosynthetic efficiency . Proteomic studies reveal that NDH subunits like ndhC are downregulated in plants with compromised lignin biosynthesis, suggesting interplay between redox balance and secondary metabolism .
The NDH complex, including ndhC, participates in cyclic electron flow around Photosystem I, critical for ATP synthesis and ROS mitigation .
In Brachypodium mutants with suppressed lignin biosynthesis, NDH complex proteins are significantly downregulated, correlating with elevated DNA damage markers (e.g., histone H2AX) and impaired stress responses .
Recombinant ndhC is used to generate antibodies for immunoblotting and functional studies of chloroplast electron transport .
Its high-purity production in E. coli enables structural studies, such as resolving NDH-PSI supercomplex architectures in grasses .
Multi-omic Profiling: Proteomic analyses of Brachypodium mutants highlight ndhC’s association with redox-sensitive pathways, including ascorbate-glutathione cycling and DNA repair mechanisms .
Stress Adaptation: ndhC knockdowns exhibit reduced NAD(P)H dehydrogenase activity, impairing photoprotection under high-light stress .
KEGG: bdi:6439845
STRING: 15368.BRADI5G05680.1