Abstract
A small solute has been obtained with column chromatography, which only exists and accumulates in the leaves of dune reed in northwest China’s desert region. Its unique polyamine and aromatic features are quite different from those well-known ones accumulated under stresses. The natural quantity of the solute is strikingly proportional to the level of local high temperature, and a large section is distributed in the photosynthetic chloroplasts. Under lab conditions, we have proved that the solute plays a role in protecting or conserving chloroplasts under heat stress. So it is reasonable to suppose that the high resistance of dune reed to environmental high temperature and/or drought is at least partially due to the accumulation of this unique solute.
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Pu, T., Cheng, Y. & Zhang, C. Novel compound specified in dune reed (Phragmites communis Trin.) and its possible role as a protectant on the chloroplasts under stress. Chin.Sci.Bull. 45, 2062–2067 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03183527
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03183527