Abstract
Green leaves contain high levels of soluble proteins. The best‐studied leaf protein is the fraction 1 protein which comprises more than 50% of the soluble leaf protein and is the most abundant protein in nature. This protein is an important photosynthetic enzyme, ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBPCase), and has many unique properties. It catalyzes two reactions ‐ photosynthesis and photorespiration; consists of two types of subunits ‐ large and small; and requires two independent genomes for its synthesis ‐ chloroplast and nuclear. This reviewer's intent is to review and evaluate our current knowledge of the genetics of this protein. The genetic analysis of tobacco RuBPCase was initially attempted by employing the classical plant breeding techniques ‐interspecific hybridization. The results were supported by using isolated chloroplasts for in vitro protein synthesis experiments and finally confirmed by the application of the recombinant DNA technology. The genetics and biosynthesis of tobacco RuBPCase were thus well established and serve as an excellent example to illustrate the close interaction and orderly coordination between the nuclear and organellar genomes in plant system.
Published Version
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