A perspective of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, the key catalyst in photosynthesis and photorespiration

Reported works dealing with the opposing processes photosynthesis and photorespiration, catalyzed by ribulose biphosphate carboxylase (RuBP) are summarized with 75 references being cited. Some recent findings that suggest that it should be possible to increase the RuBP carboxylase:oxygenase ratio by mutation and that this increase should lead to higher plant productivity are reported. It is pointed out that a better understanding of these catalytic mechanisms is necessary before the activities can be tailored to specific purposes. (BLM)