Definition
Rubisco is the acronym of d-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase. This enzyme catalyzes the carboxylation of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) as a first step in the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle yielding two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate. It is a fundamental activity for many autotrophic systems. In the presence of molecular oxygen, the enzyme oxygenates RuBP, yielding a molecule of 3-phosphoglycerate and one of phosphoglycolate (representing a loss of carbon). Rubisco is an old enzyme with a wide phylogenetic distribution among bacteria and archaea. It has been also involved in other, non-autotrophic metabolic functions like a more efficient use of carbohydrates to synthesize lipids in developing plant embryos. Its enigmatic presence also in non-autotrophic species opens the range of its metabolic functions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Peretó, J. (2015). Rubisco. In: Gargaud, M., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44185-5_1395
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44185-5_1395
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-44184-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-44185-5
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics