Unravelling the role of mitochondrial respiration in salinity tolerance of wheat

Tricarboxylic acid (TC ) cycle is one or the key mitochondrial metabolic pathways as it supplies reductants to the mitochondrial electron transport chain and mediates carbon balance by prioritising its carbon sources. Understanding TCA cycle operation is crucial to cell maintenance during environmental stress. My thesis discovered that in wheat leaves, the beginning or the TCA cycle was downregulated despite increased respiration rates in leaves during salt stress. The secret behind this is that the wheat TCA cycle is flexible and it utilises an alterative carbon source through the remainder or the cycle to support respiration during salt stress.