Dependence of the Calvin cycle activity on kinetic parameters for the interaction of non-equilibrium cycle enzymes...

Kinetic model studies and control analyses of the Calvin photosynthesis cycle have been performed to characterize the dependence of the cycle activity on maximum velocities and Km values for the interaction of the non-equilibrium cycle enzymes and ATP synthetase with their substrates under conditions of light and carbon dioxide saturation. The results show that Km values have no major influence on the cycle activity at optimal concentrations of external orthophosphate. The maximum cycle activity is controlled mainly by the catalytic capacities of ATP synthetase and sedoheptulose-bisphosphatase, and is close to the maximum cycle flux that can be supported by these two enzymes.