Optimizing Rubisco and its regulation for greater resource use efficiency

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Carmo-Silva, E., Scales, J. C., Madgwick, P. J. and Parry, M. A. J. 2015. Optimizing Rubisco and its regulation for greater resource use efficiency. Plant, Cell and Environment. 38 (9), pp. 1817-1832. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.12425

AuthorsCarmo-Silva, E., Scales, J. C., Madgwick, P. J. and Parry, M. A. J.
Abstract

Rubisco catalyses the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP), enabling net CO2 assimilation in photosynthesis. The properties and regulation of Rubisco are not optimal for biomass production in current and projected future environments. Rubisco is relatively inefficient, and large amounts of the enzyme are needed to support photosynthesis, requiring large investments in nitrogen. The competing oxygenation of RuBP by Rubisco decreases photosynthetic efficiency. Additionally, Rubisco is inhibited by some sugar phosphates and depends upon interaction with Rubisco activase (Rca) to be reactivated. Rca activity is modulated by the chloroplast redox status and ADP/ATP ratios, thereby mediating Rubisco activation and photosynthetic induction in response to irradiance. The extreme thermal sensitivity of Rca compromises net CO2 assimilation at moderately high temperatures. Given its central role in carbon assimilation, the improvement of Rubisco function and regulation is tightly linked with irradiance, nitrogen and water use efficiencies. Although past attempts have had limited success, novel technologies and an expanding knowledge base make the challenge of improving Rubisco activity in crops an achievable goal. Strategies to optimize Rubisco and its regulation are addressed in relation to their potential to improve crop resource use efficiency and climate resilience of photosynthesis. Rubisco plays a central role in carbon assimilation and improving its function and regulation is tightly linked with irradiance, nitrogen and water use efficiencies. This review addresses the limitations of Rubisco, the knowledge gained through genetic engineering and through characterisation of Rubisco catalytic diversity in nature, and the possibilities for optimising photosynthesis and crop productivity by maximising Rubisco functionality.

KeywordsPlant Sciences
Year of Publication2015
JournalPlant, Cell and Environment
Journal citation38 (9), pp. 1817-1832
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.12425
PubMed ID25123951
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeWheat
[20:20 Wheat] Maximising yield potential of wheat
Publisher's version
PublisherWiley
Wiley-Blackwell
Grant IDBB/J/00426X/1
ISSN0140-7791

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