Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Along the trail from Fraction I protein to Rubisco (ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase)

  • Published:
Photosynthesis Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This historical minireview deals with events leading to the eventual discovery of Rubisco (ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase). This abundant leaf protein is not only responsible for the net fixation of CO2 in all plants, but also causes the loss of carbon through photorespiration. The latter is a special ‘problem’ of the so-called ‘C3’ plants. The protein was first called ‘Fraction 1 protein’ before it was recognized to be the same as Rubisco. Instead of reinventing words, text as needed has been freely used from three earlier publications (Wildman and Kwanyuen 1978; Wildman 1992, 1998)

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bassham JA and Calvin M (1957) The Path of Carbon in Photosynthesis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

    Google Scholar 

  • Bassham JA, Benson AA, Kay LD, Harris AZ, Wilson AJ and Calvin M (1954) The path of carbon in photosynthesis. XXI. The cyclic regeneration of carbon dioxide receptor. J Am Chem Soc 76: 1760–1770

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bowes G, Ogren WL and Hageman RH (1971) Phosphoglycolate production catalyzed by ribulose diphosphate carboxylase.Biochem Biophys Res Commun 45: 716–722

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calvin M (1989) Forty years of photosynthesis and related activities. Photosynth Res 21: 3–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan PH, Sakano K, Singh S and Wildman SG (1972) Crystalline Fraction 1 protein: preparation in large yield. Science 176: 1145–1146

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chibnall AC (1939) Protein Metabolism in the Plant. Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut

    Google Scholar 

  • Dorner RW, Kahn A and Wildman SG (1957) The proteins of green leaves. VII. Synthesis and decay of the cytoplasmic proteins during the life of a tobacco leaf. J Biol Chem 229: 945–952

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Emerson R and Arnold WL (1932a) A separation of the reactions in photosynthesis by means of intermittent light. J Gen Physiol 15: 391–420

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Emerson R and Arnold WL (1932b) The photochemical reaction in photosynthesis. J Gen Physiol 16: 191–205

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fuller RC (1999) Forty years of microbial photosynthesis research: where it came from and what it led to. Photosynth Res 62: 1–29 (see description on pp 7-12)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon SA and Wildman SG (1943) The conversion of tryptophane to a plant growth substance by conditions of mild alkalinity. J Biol Chem 147: 389–398

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hatch MD (Hal) (1992) I can't believe my luck. Photosynth Res 33: 1–14

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kawashima N and Wildman SG (1971) Studies on Fraction 1 Protein. I. Effect of crystallization of Fraction 1 protein from tobacco leaves on ribulose diphosphate carboxylase activity. Biochim Biophys Acta 229: 240–249

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singer SJ, Eggman L, Campbell J and Wildman SG (1952) The protein of green leaves. IV. High molecular weight protein comprising a large part of the cytoplasmic proteins. J Biol Chem 197: 233–239

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weissbach A, Horecker BL and Hurwitz J (1956) The enzymatic formation of phosphoglyceric acid from ribulose diphosphate and carbon dioxide. J Biol Chem 218: 795–810

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wildman SG (1992) Early events along the trail leading to identification of Rubisco. Prot Sci 1: 303–304

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wildman SG (1998) Discovery of Rubisco. In: Kung S-D and Yang S-F (eds) Discoveries in Plant Biology, Chapter 12, pp 163–173. World Scientific Publ. Co, Singapore

    Google Scholar 

  • Wildman SG and Bonner J (1947) The proteins of green leaves. I. Isolation+ enzymatic properties and auxin content of spinach cytoplasmic proteins. Arch Biochem 14: 381–413

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wildman SG and Gordon SA (1942) The release of auxin from isolated leaf proteins of spinach by enzymes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 28: 217–228

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wildman SG and Kwanyuen P (1978) Fraction I protein and other products from tobacco for food. In: Siegelman HW and Hind G (eds) Photosynthetic Carbon Assimilation, pp 1–18. Plenum Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA

    Sam G. Wildman

Authors
  1. Sam G. Wildman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sam G. Wildman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wildman, S.G. Along the trail from Fraction I protein to Rubisco (ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase). Photosynthesis Research 73, 243–250 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020467601966

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020467601966

Search

Navigation