Macromolecular Rate Theory (MMRT) Provides a Thermodynamics Rationale to Underpin the Convergent Temperature Response in Plant Leaf Respiration

4 years ago

Macromolecular Rate Theory (MMRT) Provides a Thermodynamics Rationale to Underpin the Convergent Temperature Response in Plant Leaf Respiration

Louis A. Schipper, Lasantha K. Weerasinghe, Vickery L. Arcus, Odhran S. O'Sullivan, Mark G. Tjoelker, Owen K. Atkin, Mary A. Heskel, Danielle Creek, John J G Egerton, Liyin L. Liang

Temperature is a crucial factor in determining the rates of ecosystem processes, e.g. leaf respiration (R) − the flux of plant respired CO2 from leaves to the atmosphere. Generally, R increases exponentially with temperature and formulations such as the Arrhenius equation are widely used in earth system models. However, experimental observations have shown a consequential and consistent departure from an exponential increase in R. What are the principles that underlie these observed patterns? Here, we demonstrate that macromolecular rate theory (MMRT), based on transition state theory for enzyme-catalyzed kinetics, provides a thermodynamic explanation for the observed departure and the convergent temperature response of R using a global database. Three meaningful parameters emerge from MMRT analysis: the temperature at which the rate of respiration would theoretically reach a maximum (the optimum temperature, Topt), the temperature at which the respiration rate is most sensitive to changes in temperature (the inflection temperature, Tinf) and the overall curvature of the log(rate) versus temperature plot (the change in heat capacity for the system, ∆Cp‡). On average the highest potential enzyme-catalyzed rates of respiratory enzymes for R is predicted to occur at 67.0±1.2 °C and the maximum temperature sensitivity at 41.4±0.7 °C from MMRT. The average curvature (average negative ∆Cp‡) was -1.2±0.1 kJ.mol-1K-1. Interestingly, Topt, Tinf and ∆Cp‡ appear insignificantly different across biomes and plant functional types (PFTs), suggesting that thermal response of respiratory enzymes in leaves could be conserved. The derived parameters from MMRT can serve as thermal traits for plant leaves that represents the collective temperature response of metabolic respiratory enzymes and could be useful to understand regulations of R under a warmer climate. MMRT extends the classic transition state theory to enzyme-catalyzed reactions and provides an accurate and mechanistic model for the short-term temperature response of R around the globe. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13936