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Revisiting RuBisCO.

Akiho Yokota1,2

  • 1a R & D Department , Plant Hi-Tech Institute, Ltd. , Ikoma , Japan.

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry
|September 28, 2017
PubMed
Summary

The Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) enzyme, crucial for photosynthesis, likely originated in ancient bacteria before plants evolved. This ancient origin may explain its resilience and vital role in global carbon fixation.

Keywords:
RuBisCORuBisCO-like proteinevolutionmethanogenic archaeaphotosynthesis

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Plant Physiology
  • Crop Science

Background:

  • Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is a key enzyme in CO2 fixation during photosynthesis.
  • Over 2000 RuBisCO and RuBisCO-like genes have been sequenced in the last two decades.
  • Extensive research spans biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, plant physiology, agricultural chemistry, and crop science.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the evolutionary origin of the RuBisCO gene.
  • To discuss aspects of RuBisCO's origin and evolutionary significance not extensively covered in existing literature.
  • To highlight the gene's potential role in adapting to global environmental changes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on RuBisCO gene sequencing and evolutionary studies.
  • Analysis of recent findings regarding the emergence of RuBisCO in non-photosynthetic organisms.
  • Synthesis of information on the gene's historical environmental adaptability.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests the RuBisCO gene originated in methanogenic bacteria, predating photosynthetic organisms.
  • This ancient origin may have conferred resilience to environmental fluctuations throughout Earth's history.
  • RuBisCO facilitates the annual fixation of approximately 200 gigatons of CO2.

Conclusions:

  • The deep evolutionary roots of RuBisCO in bacteria offer insights into its long-term survival and critical function.
  • Understanding RuBisCO's origin is crucial for appreciating its role in global carbon cycles and potentially for crop improvement.
  • Further discussion is warranted on less-explored facets of its evolutionary journey and environmental interactions.