A Kinetic Model for Translocators in the Chloroplast Envelope as an Element of Computersimulation of the Dark Reaction of Photosynthesis

Abstract

A kinetic model for the chloroplast translocators (mediating equal and opposite exchange fluxes between the external medium and the stroma) is derived. This model is a modification of the classical Widdas model corresponding to the exchange of an arbitrary number of compounds with no contribution to net transport. It describes the rate of transport of each compound in simple terms and with a minimum number of kinetic constants. Predictions from the model agree with experimental data as recorded in the literature. From the experimental apparent kinetic constants V_MAX and K_m those in terms of the model are calculated. These constants complete the model and make it applicable to the study of metabo­lism of photosynthesis by means of computer simulation. The set of differential equations describing the operation of the phosphate translocator is solved numerically for some illustrative examples.