Photorespiration and carbon concentrating mechanisms: Two adaptations to high O2, low CO2 conditions

James V. Moroney, Louisiana State University
Nadine Jungnick, Louisiana State University
Robert J. Dimario, Louisiana State University
David J. Longstreth, Louisiana State University

Abstract

This review presents an overview of the two ways that cyanobacteria, algae, and plants have adapted to high O2 and low CO2 concentrations in the environment. First, the process of photorespiration enables photosynthetic organisms to recycle phosphoglycolate formed by the oxygenase reaction catalyzed by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Second, there are a number of carbon concentrating mechanisms that increase the CO2 concentration around Rubisco which increases the carboxylase reaction enhancing CO2 fixation. This review also presents possibilities for the beneficial modification of these processes with the goal of improving future crop yields. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.