Subategory:

Mutants

Description:

Using standard methods of directed mutagenesis and chloroplast transformation of rbcLΔ-MX3312 mt+ (MUT-4696), six substitutions (V30E, V31T, R32K, M42V, C53A, and D86H,) together in the Rubisco large subunit were created. This mutant (also named AG86) represents one of 15 "associated groups" of amino acids that differ between Chlamydomonas and land plants. It was created to investigate phylogenetic differences that influence Rubisco catalysis. The mutant enzyme has a decrease in CO₂/O₂ specificity. The mutant strain has a small decrease in photosynthetic growth at 35 °C. It 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