Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.31) is widely found in plants and microorganisms. It catalyzes
the irreversible reaction of phosphoenolpyruvate and carbon dioxide to oxaloacetic acid. It is also a key
enzyme for C4 plants and cam plants to fix CO2. It plays an important role in regulating the operation of
tricarboxylic acid cycle.
2-
PEPC can catalyze phosphoenolpyruvate and carbon dioxide to form oxaloacetate and HPO4 . Malate
dehydrogenase can catalyze oxaloacetate and NADH to produce malate and NAD+. The rate of NADH
reduction was measured at 340 nm and PEPC activity was calculated.
Required but Not Provided:
Ultraviolet spectrophotometer, desk centrifuge, water-bath, transferpettor, 1 mL quartz cuvette, pipette,
mortar/homogenizer, ice and distilled water.
Protocol
I. Preparation:
1. Tissue: according to the tissue weight (g): the Extract solution volume (mL) is 1:5-10. (It is