Determinants of substrate specificity and the role of metal in the reactions of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase.

Recent studies have provided a fairly detailed view of the various intermediates involved in the reactions of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase and the manner in which the catalytically essential metal atom might catalyze their interconversions. A better understanding of how the enzyme distinguishes between its alternate substrates, CO(2) and O(2), has also emerged. The results of these studies should prove useful in anticipating possible ways in which the enzyme's substrate specificity might be manipulated. Together, the techniques that are described constitute a powerful methodology for more refined experimentation aimed at understanding the curious reactivities of ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase.