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Leaf C3 Photosynthesis in silico: Integrated Carbon/Nitrogen Metabolism

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Photosynthesis in silico

Part of the book series: Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration ((AIPH,volume 29))

A computer model of C3 photosynthesis comprising light reactions, electron-proton transport, enzymatic reactions and regulatory functions is presented as a system of differential budget equations for intermediate compounds. Carbon and nitrite reduction systems are linked assuming that nitrite reduction is the dominant proton-coupled alternative electron transport pathway compensating for ATP consumption by starch synthesis and other non-photosynthetic processes. The principal theoretical hypothesis is that the carbon skeletons for the freshly synthesized amino acids are partitioned from the pool of phosphoglyceric acid (PGA) before its reduction in photosynthesis. Consequently, the rate of nitrite reduction is controlled by ferredoxin reduction and PGA levels. The latter simultaneously controls the rate of starch synthesis — the major alternative ATP consumer linking nitrite reduction with starch synthesis. The model reproduces light and CO2 response curves of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence and 810 nm transmittance signals during steady state, as well as during induction and oscillations. The model explains the integral Nitrogen/Carbon (N/C) ratios of plant tissues and predicts that the availability of nitrogen may limit the photosynthetic rate in natural communities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Tartu University, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia

    Agu Laisk, Hillar Eichelmann & Vello Oja

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  1. Agu Laisk
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  2. Hillar Eichelmann
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Tartu, Estonia

    Agu Laisk

  2. Institute of Systems Biology and Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Nové Hrady, Czech Republic

    Ladislav Nedbal

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Laisk, A., Eichelmann, H., Oja, V. (2009). Leaf C3 Photosynthesis in silico: Integrated Carbon/Nitrogen Metabolism. In: Laisk, A., Nedbal, L., Govindjee (eds) Photosynthesis in silico . Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration, vol 29. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9237-4_13

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