Subategory:

Mutants

Description:

Using standard methods of directed mutagenesis and chloroplast transformation of rbcLΔ-MX3312 mt+ (MUT-4696), a C256F substitution (TGT-TTC) was created in the Rubisco large subunit. The same substitution was created previously in a different host strain (see MUT-4839). Because Cys-256 is methylated in Chlamydomonas Rubisco, but replaced by Phe in plant Rubisco, the mutant was created to investigate the role of the modified residue in Rubisco structure or function. The C256F substitution causes a small decrease in carboxylation catalytic efficiency, but does not affect the photosynthetic growth of the mutant cells. C256F has been studied in combination with other phylogenetic substitutions. See also rbcL-C256F/C369V mt+. 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