Ribulose 1, 5-diphosphate carboxylase (RuDPCase, EC 4.1.1.39) isolated from spinach leaves is metabolically regulated at 10 mM Mg2+ and low C02 concentrations by its substrates (RuDP and C02) and by effectors which include 6-phosphogluconate (6-PGluA), NADPH, and fructose 1,6-diphosphate (FDP), but not fructose '6-phosphate. Physiological concentrations of RuDP severely inhibit the enzyme activity when the enzyme has not been preincubated with HCO3-and Mg2-, and this inactivity persists for 20 minutes or longer after 1 mM HCO,-and 10 mM Mg2+ are added. Maximum activity requires that the preincubation mixture also include either 0.01 mm 6-PGluA or 0.5 mM NADPH.When the enzyme, following preincubation with HC03-and Mg2+, is presented with RuDP plus either 6-PGluA or FDP, competitive inhibition is observed with respect to RuDP.