Enzymatic Characteristics of Higher Plant Carbonic Anhydrase and Its Role in Photosynthesis

Abstract

Carbonic anhydrase, a metalloenzyme which catalyses the reversible interconversion of HCO 3 − and CO 2 , is a major protein component of higher plant tissues. It is now shown that DNA sequence and encoded proteins for the different , β, ɑ γ, δ, ε, and ζ forms of carbonic anhydrases are present in living organisms. While there are no sequence homologies between the different type of carbonic anhydrases, all the , β, and ɑ γ carbonic anhydrase gene family enzymes in higher plants catalyze the same chemical reaction. Its specific function is generally assumed to convert CO 2 to HCO 3 − for the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase reaction and convert HCO 3 − to CO 2 for the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase reaction in photosynthesis. Moreover, carbonic anhydrase activity in guard cells is required for CO 2 -mediated stomatal regulation and carbonic anhydrases may provide an approach for plant alternatively protection against stress conditions. Recent studies on carbonic anhydrases described in this manuscript include the characterization and gene family of carbonic anhydrases, physiological function of higher plant CAs, and gene engineerings about higher plant CAs.

Physicochemical, enzymatic and molecular characterisation of the storage protein of aerial tuber, Dioscorea bulbifera Linn.

“…They are pH regulatory and metabolic enzymes found in almost all organisms. In higher plants, carbonic anhydrases play a vital role in CO 2 fixation during photosynthesis [ 36 ]. In mammals, they are involved in respiration [ 37 ].…”

Effect of zinc on phytoremediation potential and carbonic anhydrase and polyphenol oxidase activities of Lythrum salicaria L.

“…Many researchers have described the role of CA under stress conditions. According to Wei-Hong et al (2014), the expression of CA was related to environmental factors such as light intensity, salinity, availability of Zn, and CO2 concentration.…”

Synthesis, Characterization and DFT Studies of Two Zinc(II) Complexes Based on 2-Isopropylimidazole

“…It functions primarily in CO 2 transport and excretion in blood [10] and is important in photosynthesis because of its ability to convert CO 2 to 3 HCO − reversibly [11]. Molecular, biochemical and genetic studies of carbonic anhydrase, analyzed in various tissues of many organs and plant species suggested its effect on a wide range of diverse biological processes, including pH regulation, gas and ion exchange, provision of bicarbonate for anaplerotic reactions, and fatty acid biosynthesis [12].…”