Subategory:

Mutants

Description:

Using standard methods of directed mutagenesis and chloroplast transformation of rbcLΔ-MX3312 mt+ (MUT-4696), two substitutions (P104A and P151A) were created together in the Rubisco large subunit. Because Pro-104 and Pro-151 are hydroxylated, this mutant was created to investigate the role of the modified residues in Rubisco structure or function. The P104A/P151A substitutions cause decreases in Rubisco CO₂/O₂ specificity and carboxylation catalytic efficiency, but have only minor effect on the photosynthetic growth of the mutant cells. This strain has been maintained with acetate medium in darkness to prevent selection for secondary mutations that may improve Rubisco function.

Species:

Chlamydomonas

Locus:

rbcL

Chromosome:

Chloroplast