Mutagenesis Technique Boosts the Efficiency of Rubisco, a Key Enzyme in Photosynthesis

MIT scientists just supercharged the enzyme that powers all plant life

Scientists at MIT have turbocharged one of nature’s most sluggish but essential enzymes—rubisco—by applying a cutting-edge evolution technique in living cells. Normally prone to wasteful reactions with oxygen, this revamped bacterial rubisco evolved to work more efficiently in oxygen-rich environments. This leap in enzyme performance could pave the way for improving photosynthesis in plants and, ultimately, increase crop yields.

MIT chemists boost the efficiency of a key enzyme in photosynthesis

MIT chemists showed they can greatly boost the efficiency of a bacterial version of rubisco, a key enzyme in photosynthesis. Using directed evolution, they identified mutations that could boost its catalytic efficiency by up to 25 percent.

Highly efficient enzymes designed from scratch

A computational workflow designs proteins with catalytic efficiencies comparable to those of some natural enzymes — a landmark result for the field. A computational workflow designs proteins with catalytic efficiencies comparable to those of some natural enzymes — a landmark result for the field.

Mutagenesis technique boosts the efficiency of rubisco, a key enzyme in photosynthesis

During photosynthesis, an enzyme called rubisco catalyzes a key reaction—the incorporation of carbon dioxide into organic compounds to create sugars. However, rubisco, which is believed to be the most abundant enzyme on Earth, is very inefficient compared to the other enzymes involved in photosynthesis.

Leaft protein boosted from ground up

Reading Time: 3 minutes Consumer demand for high-quality protein supplements and the need for a flexible food ingredient are driving growth prospects for Canterbury company Leaft Foods. Started by pastoral scientist and Synlait founder Dr John Penno and partner Maury Leyland Penno, the company has moved to scale up its production facilities at Rolleston. Here the functional plant protein rubisco is extracted using the company’s protected technol…

Improved Bacterial Rubisco Offers Hope for Enhancing Plant Photosynthesis

During photosynthesis, an enzyme called rubisco catalyzes a key reaction - the incorporation of carbon dioxide into organic compounds to create sugars.