Regulation of senescence under elevated atmospheric CO(2) via ubiquitin modification

Elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentration is a serious global environmental problem. Elevated CO(2) affects plant growth by changing primary metabolism, closely related to carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) availability. Under sufficient N conditions, plant growth is dramatically promoted by elevated CO(2). When N availability is limited, however, elevated CO(2) disrupts the balance between cellular C and N (C/N). Disruption of the C/N balance is regarded as an important factor in plant growth defects. Here we highlight the regulation of senescence in higher plants by atmospheric CO(2) and N, and the physiological function of C/N-related ubiquitin ligase ATL31 under condition of elevated CO(2). We also provide an overview of the ubiquitin ligases and related enzymes involved in regulating senescence in plants.