Biochemical approaches to C4 photosynthesis evolution studies: the case of Malic enzymes decarboxylases

SAIGO, M.; TRONCONI, M. A.; GERRARD WHEELER, M. C.; ALVAREZ, C. E.; DRINCOVICH, M. F.; ANDREO, C. S.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2013 vol. 117 p. 177 - 187

0166-8595

C4 photosynthesis enables the capture of atmospheric CO2 and its concentration atthe site of RuBisCO thus counteracting the negative effects of low atmospheric CO2and 21% of O2 on photosynthesis. The evolution of this complex syndrome was amultistep process that did not rely on novel enzymatic activities. Rather, it involved theoptimization of kinetics and regulatory properties of many non-photosynthetic enzymesto fulfil novel roles in C4-carbon fixation. Then, the biochemical studies aimed to knowthose functional adaptations are central to have an integral view of the C4 operatingmechanisms. In the present review, the most important biochemical approaches thatwe currently use to understand the evolution of the C4 isoforms of malic enzyme aresummarized. It is expected that all this information will help in the rational design of thebest decarboxylation process to provide CO2 for RuBisCO in engineered C3 species.