Photorespiration and nitrate assimilation: a major intersection between plant carbon and nitrogen

摘要: C3 carbon fixation has a bad reputation, primarily because it is associated with photorespiration, biochemical pathway thought to waste substantial amount of the carbohydrate produced in plant. This review presents evidence collected over nearly century that (1) Rubisco when Mn2+ generates additional reductant during (2) this participates assimilation nitrate into protein, and (3) facilitates use nitrogen source other organisms tend avoid. phenomenon explains continued dominance plants past 23 million years low CO2 atmospheres as well decline plant protein concentrations atmospheric rises.