Membrane-Associated Polypeptides Induced in Chlamydomonas by Limiting CO(2) Concentrations.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and other unicellular green algae have a high apparent affinity for CO(2), little O(2) inhibition of photosynthesis, and reduced photorespiration. These characteristics result from operation of a CO(2)-concentrating system. The CO(2)-concentrating system involves active inorganic carbon transport and is under environmental control. Cells grown at limiting CO(2) concentrations have inorganic carbon transport activity, but cells grown at 5% CO(2) do not. Four membrane-associated polypeptides (M(r) 19, 21, 35, and 36 kilodaltons) have been identified which either appear or increase in abundance during adaptation to limiting CO(2) concentrations. The appearance of two of the polypeptides occurs over roughly the same time course as the appearance of the CO(2)-concentrating system activity in response to CO(2) limitation.