#Id: 7268
#Unit 6. System Physiology – Plant
One way in which rubisco is activated involves the formation of a carbamate– Mg2+ complex on the ε-amino group of a lysine within the active site of the enzyme. Two protons are released. Activation is enhanced by the increase in Mg2+ concentration and higher pH (low H+ concentration) that result from illumination. The CO2 involved in the carbamate–Mg2+ reaction is not the same as the CO2 involved in the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate.