The importance of the photosynthetic Gibbs effect in the elucidation of the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle

The photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle, or Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle, is now contained in every standard biochemistry textbook. Although the cycle was already proposed in 1954, it is still the subject of intense research, and even the structure of the cycle, i.e. the exact series of reactions, is still under debate. The controversy about the cycle's structure was fuelled by the findings of Gibbs and Kandler in 1956 and 1957, when they observed that radioactive 14CO2 was dynamically incorporated in hexoses in a very atypical and asymmetrical way, a phenomenon later termed the ‘photosynthetic Gibbs effect’. Now, it is widely accepted that the photosynthetic Gibbs effect is not in contradiction to the reaction scheme proposed by CBB, but the arguments given have been largely qualitative and hand-waving. To fully appreciate the controversy and to understand the difficulties in interpreting the Gibbs effect, it is illustrative to illuminate the history of the discovery of the CBB cycle. We here give an account of central scientific advances and discoveries, which were essential prerequisites for the elucidation of the cycle. Placing the historic discoveries in the context of the modern textbook pathway scheme illustrates the complexity of the cycle and demonstrates why especially dynamic labelling experiments are far from easy to interpret. We conclude by arguing that it requires sound theoretical approaches to resolve conflicting interpretations and to provide consistent quantitative explanations.

The importance of the photosynthetic Gibbs effect in the elucidation of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle

The photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle, or Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle, is now contained in every standard biochemistry textbook. Although the cycle was already proposed in 1954, it is still subject of intense research, and even the structure of the cycle, i.e. the exact series of reactions, is still under debate. The controversy about the cycle’s structure was fuelled by the findings of Gibbs and Kandler in 1956 and 1957, when they observed that radioactive 14CO2 was dynamically incorporated in hexoses in a very atypical and asymmetrical way, a phenomenon later termed the ‘photosynthetic Gibbs effect’. Now, it is widely accepted that the photosynthetic Gibbs effect is not in contradiction to the reaction scheme proposed by Calvin, Benson and Bassham, but the arguments given have been largely qualitative and hand-waving. To fully appreciate the controversy and to understand the difficulties in interpreting the Gibbs effect, it is illustrative to illuminate the history of the discovery of the Calvin-Benson-Bassham Cycle. We here give an account of central scientific advances and discoveries, which were essential prerequisites for the elucidation of the cycle. Placing the historic discoveries in the context of the modern textbook pathway scheme illustrates the complexity of the cycle and demonstrates why especially dynamic labelling experiments are far from easy to interpret. We conclude by arguing that only mathematical models based on a sound theory are capable of resolving conflicting interpretations and providing a consistent quantitative explanation.

Photosynthetic Pathway-Related Ultrastructure of C3, C4 and C3-Like C3-C4 Intermediate Sedges (Cyperaceae), With Special Reference to Eleocharis

The ultrastructure of photosynthetic organs (leaf blades and culms) was investigated in eight species from four genera of sedges: Fimbristylis (C, fimbristyloid anatomy), Pycreus (C4 chlorocyperoid anatomy), Rhynchospora (C4 rhynchosporoid anatomy) - all NADP-ME (malic enzyme) type, and uninvestigated C3, C4 (eleocharoid anatomy, NAD-ME type) and C3-like C3-C4 intermediate species of Eleocharis. Ultrastructural characteristics previously reported for the former anatomical types are largely confirmed, though some evidence of poorly developed peripheral reticulum in C4 rhynchosporoid sedges is presented. Sedges, regardless of anatomical and biochemical type, possess a suberised lamella in photosynthetic organs which is invariably present in and confined to the mestome sheath cell walls, though it is often incomplete in the radial walls. By contrast with other C4 sedges, NAD-ME Eleocharis species and the C3-like C3-C4 intermediate E. pusilla possess abundant mitochondria and chloroplasts with well-stacked grana in the photosynthetic carbon reduction (PCR) (Kranz)/bundle sheath cells. Peripheral reticulum is well developed in NAD-ME species in both PCR and photosynthetic carbon assimilation (PCA) (C4 mesophyll) chloroplasts, but differs from that seen in chlorocyperoid and fimbristyloid type sedges. The suberised lamella and starch grains (well preserved), and granal stacks (poorly preserved) are identifiable in dried herbarium material (Eleocharis). Prediction of C4 biochemical type of sedges should be possible by combining anatomical, ultrastructural and δ13C value data. The significance of the ultrastructural similarities between the C4 NAD-ME and C3-C4 intermediate Eleocharis species is discussed.