Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Evaluation of Photosynthetic Efficiency in Photorespiratory Mutants by Chlorophyll Fluorescence Analysis
Published on: December 9, 2022
Association of heat-induced conformational change with activity loss of Rubisco
Guofu Li1, Haibin Mao, Xiang Ruan
1State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the thermal conformational change associated with the activity loss of spinach Rubisco. CD and intrinsic fluorescence demonstrated a three stage thermal unfolding of Rubisco. At 25-45 degrees C, the secondary structure did not change but the tertiary and/or quaternary structure changed obviously with increased temperature. In 45-60 degrees C, the secondary structure showed much change with increased temperature and the tertiary and/or quaternary structure changed much faster. Over 60 degrees C, whole conformation changed abruptly with increased temperature and finally unfolded completely. DSC, CD and activity assays after annealing showed that the conformational change and the activity loss of Rubisco were completely reversible if the heating temperature was below 45 degrees C, partly reversible between 45 and 60 degrees C, and irreversible beyond 60 degrees C.
Related Concept Videos
The Calvin Benson Cycle
Adaptations that Reduce Water Loss
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Protein Denaturation
C4 Pathway and CAM
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
The Calvin Cycle

