Abstract
In crude extracts of primary leaves from dark grown seedlings of Phaseolus vulgaris L., relatively high hydrolytic activity of chlorophyllase (chlorophyll-chlorophyllido-hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.14) was observed. When plants were exposed to continuous illumination, the enzyme activity in the extracts was doubled within 3 days and both chlorophyll a and b were synthesized. However, when exposed to periodic illumination (1 min light-59 min dark) the enzyme activity was doubled within 1 to 2 days and chlorophyll a was synthesized but the formation of chlorophyll b was suppressed. When plants were transferred from periodic illumination to continuous illumination chlorophyll b was synthesized but the activity of chlorophyllase declined. Chloramphenicol blocked the increase in enzyme activity independent of the light regimes, but cycloheximide inhibited the activity more effectively during growth in the light. The presence of chlorophyllase activity in the leaves is discussed in relation to the chlorophyll-proteins and the membranes known to be present in chloroplasts. It is suggested that the enzyme is synthesized on plastid ribosomes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- CAP:
-
D-threo-chloramphenicol
- CHI:
-
cycloheximide
- CI:
-
continuous illumination
- PI:
-
periodic illumination
References
Argyroudi-Akoyunoglou, J.H., Kondylaki, S., Akoyunoglou, G.: Growth of grana form “primary” thylakoids in Phaseolus vulgaris. Plant & Cell Physiol. 17, 939–954 (1976)
Arnon, D.I.: Copper enzymes in isolated chloroplasts. Plant Physiol. 24, 1–15 (1949)
Arntzen, C.J., Armond, P.A., Briantais, J.M., Burke, J.J., Novitzky, W.P.: Dynamic interactions among structural components of the chloroplast membrane. In: Chlorophyll-proteins, reaction centres and photosynthetic membranes,: Brookhaven symposia in biology, vol. 28, pp. 316–337. Olson, J.M., Hind, G., eds. New York: Upton 1977
Bogorad, L.: Chlorophyll biosynthesis. In: Chemistry and biochemistry of plant pigments, vol. 2, pp. 118–120, Goodwin, T., ed. London-New York-San Francisco: Academic Press 1976
Ellsworth, R.K., Tsuk, R.M., St. Pierre, L.A.: Studies on chlorophyllase IV. Attribution of hydrolytic and esterifying “chlorophyllase” activities observed in vitro to two enzymes. Photosynthetica 10 (3), 312–323 (1976)
Ganoza, V.G., McFeeters, R.F.: Chlorophyllase activity during pigmentation changes in Chlorella protothecoides. Photosynthetica 10, 1–6 (1976)
Holden, M.: Chlorophylls. In: Chemistry and biochemistry of plant pigments, vol. 2, pp. 28–30, Goodwin, T., ed. London-New York-San Francisco: Academic Press 1976
Klein, S., Schiff, J.A.: The correlated appearance of prolamellar bodies, protochlorophyl(lide) species and the Shibata shift during development of bean etioplasts in the dark. Plant Physiol. 49, 619–626 (1972)
McFeeters, R.F., Chichester, C.O., Whitaker, J.R.: Purification and properties of chlorophyllase from Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven). Plant. Physiol. 47, 609–618 (1971)
Siddell, S.G., Ellis, F.R.: Protein synthesis by etioplasts. Biochem. Soc. Trans. 5, 98–102 (1977)
Sluiters-Scholten, C.M.Th., Berg, F.M., van den Stegwee, D.: Aminoleavulinate dehydratase in greening leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 69, 217–227 (1973)
Schneider, Hj.A.W., Beisenherz, W.W.: Determination of the sites of synthesis of chlorophyll synthesizing enzymes in cell cultures of Nicotiana tabacum. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 48, 907–913 (1972)
Strain, H.H., Svec, W.A.: Extraction separation, estimation and isolation of the chlorophylls. In: The chlorophylls, pp. 54–57, Vernon, P., Seely, G.R., eds. New York: Academic Press 1966
Terpstra, W.: Properties of chloroplasts and chloroplasts fragments as deduced from internal chlorophyll → chlorophyllide conversion. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 71, 129–143 (1974)
Terpstra, W.: Chlorophyllase and lamellar structure in Phaeodactylum tricormutum. III Situation of chlorophyllase in pigment membranes. Z. Pflanzenphysiol. 80, 177–188 (1976)
Thornber, J.P.: Chlorophyll-proteins: Light-harvesting and reaction centre components of plants. In: Ann Rev. Plant Physiol. 26, 127–158 (1975)
Thornber, I.P., Alberte, R.S., Hunter, F.A., Shiozawa, J.A., Kan, K.S.: The organization of chlorophyll in the plant photosynthetic unit. In: Chlorophyll-proteins, reaction centres and photosynthestic membranes, Brookhaven Symposia in biology 28, 132–147. Olson, J.M., Hing, G., eds. New York: Upton 1977
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moll, W.A.W., de Wit, B. & Lutter, R. Chlorophyllase activity in developing leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris L.. Planta 139, 79–83 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390814
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390814