Autolysis of chlorophyll in aqueous and detergent suspensions of chloroplast fragments

Dekel Amir-Shapira, Eliezer E. Goldschmidt*, Ariel Altman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chloroplast fragments suspended in buffer form chlrophyllide. Chlorophyllide formation is enhanced by 0.2-1.0% (v/v) of the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 and the cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMB), but not by the anionic detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Chloroplast fragments from tissues with high chlorophyllase (chlorophyll-chlorophyllido hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.14) activity (e.g. Citrus leaves) form more chlorophyllide than those from tissues with low chlorophyllase activity (e.g. parsley leaves). Data concerning pH optimum, temperature effects and cofactor requirements of the reaction are presented. The 'autolysis' of chlorophyll appears to be brought about by enzymatic activity of chlorophyllase which upon membrane disruption and solubilization obtains access to its chlorophyll substrate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)201-206
Number of pages6
JournalPlant Science
Volume43
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986

Keywords

  • chlorophyll-degradation
  • chlorophyllase
  • chlorophyllide

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