Modelling the role of Rubisco activase in limiting non-steady-state photosynthesis.

Abstract

The roles of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and Rubisco activase in limiting the approach of photosynthesis to steady-state following a step increase from a low to a saturating value of photon flux density (PFD) are reviewed. This information, along with the effect of Rubisco on steady-state photosynthetic rate and the effect of Rubisco activase on maximum Rubisco activation state, is then used to construct a model to predict the optimum allocation of protein between Rubisco and Rubisco activase for plants exposed to different light environments. The model predicts that the distribution of protein that produces the maximum steady-state rate of photosynthesis does n..