2 <\/sup>around 20% of the time, meaning that vital energy is lost in this process called photorespiration, where enzymes travel through three different compartments within the cell of the plant.<\/p>\nBen Long, the leader of the study from ANU, said: \u201cMany photosynthetic organisms have evolved mechanisms to overcome some of Rubisco\u2019s limitations. Among these organisms are microalgae and cyanobacteria from aquatic environments, which have efficiently functioning Rubisco enzymes sitting inside liquid protein droplets and protein compartments called pyrenoids and carboxysomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The behaviour of these compartments is currently unknown, which prompted the investigators to construct a mathematical model to analyse the chemical reaction performed by Rubisco, which releases positively charged protons as it accumulates CO2\u00a0 <\/sup>from the atmosphere.<\/p>\nLong said: \u201cInside Rubisco compartments, these protons can speed up Rubisco by increasing the amount of CO2\u00a0<\/sup>available. The protons do this by helping the conversion of bicarbonate into CO2<\/sup>. Bicarbonate is the major source of CO2<\/sup>\u00a0in aquatic environments, and photosynthetic organisms that use bicarbonate can tell us a lot about how to improve crop plants.\u201d<\/p>\nThe innovative model allowed the team to gather a more comprehensive understanding of why the Rubisco compartments potentially improve the enzyme\u2019s function, with one theory suggesting that the low CO2 <\/sup>conditions of ancient Earth prompted cyanobacteria and microalgae to evolve the compartments. The team are now aiming to create these specialised Rubisco compartments in crop plants to enhance their yields.<\/p>\nLong said: \u201cThe outcomes of this study provide an insight into the correct function of specialized Rubisco compartments and give us a better understanding of how we expect them to perform in plants.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A novel investigation into the Rubisco enzyme that is vital in plant photosynthesis may lead to methods that enhance crop yields and growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":11970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24433,785],"tags":[550,3475],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Rubisco enzyme investigation may improve crop yields<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n