Molecular Biochemistry II

Photosynthetic Dark Reaction - Calvin Cycle

Reading:

Textbook Reading: Voet & Voet, Biochemistry, 3rd Edition, p. 896-905.

Some recent articles (optional reading): 
S. J. Crafts-Bradner & M. E. Salvucci (2000) "Rubisco activase constrains the photosynthetic potential of leaves at high temperature and CO₂," PNAS 97: 13430-13435. (See also commentary by R. G. Jensen, p. 12937-12938.)
M. Matsuoka, R. T. Furbank, H. Fukayama & M. Miyao (2001) "Molecular engineering of C₄ photosynthesis," Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 52: 297-314.
R. E. Häusler, H.-J. Hirsch, F. Kreuzaler & C. Peterhänsel (2002) "Overexpression of C₄-cycle enzymes in transgenic C₃ plants: a biotechnological approach to improve C₃-photosynthesis," J. Exptl. Botany 53: 591-607.
I. Andersson & T. C. Taylor (2003) "Structural framework for catalysis and regulation in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase," Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 414: 130-140.
R. J. Spreitzer (2003) "Role of the small subunit in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate caboxylase/oxygenase," Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 414: 141-149.
P. Westhoff & U. Gowik (2004) "Evolution of C4 phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Genes and proteins: a case study with the genus Flaveria," Ann. Botany 93: 13-23.
B. B. Buchanan & Y. Balmer (2005) "Redox regulation: a broadening horizon," Annu. Rev. Plant Biol. 56: 187-220.
L. Cegelski & J. Schaefer (2006) "NMR determination of photorespiration in intact leaves using in vivo ¹³CO₂ labeling," J. Magnetic Res. 178: 1-10.
L. E. Anderson, J. Chrostowski & A. A. Carol (2006) "Enzyme co-localization with transketolase, xylulose-5-P 3-epimerase and phosphoriboisomerase in pea leaf chloroplasts," Plant Science.
S. Reumann & A. P. M. Weber (2006) "Plant peroxisomes respire in the light: Some gaps of the photorespiratory C₂ cycle have become filled - Others remain," Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1763: 1496-1510.

Potential Test Question:

1. a. Write out the reaction catalyzed by RuBP Carboxylase, giving names and structures of substrates, intermediates and products.
    b. Describe the subunit structure of the enzyme RuBP Carboxylase. Describe the location and nature of active site domains. Diagram and describe the reaction by which a carbamate group forms at the active site. What is its role?  
    c. In what ways does light affect RuBP Carboxylase activity? Does the "dark reaction" occur in the dark?

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Lecture Notes on Photosynthetic Dark Reaction

Interactive Quiz on            Photosynthetic Dark Reaction