Biogenesis of thylakoid networks in angiosperms: Knowns and unknowns

Zach Adam*, Dana Charuvi, Onie Tsabari, Ronit Rimon Knopf, Ziv Reich

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aerobic life on Earth depends on oxygenic photosynthesis. This fundamentally important process is carried out within an elaborate membranous system, called the thylakoid network. In angiosperms, thylakoid networks are constructed almost from scratch by an intricate, light-dependent process in which lipids, proteins, and small organic molecules are assembled into morphologically and functionally differentiated, three-dimensional lamellar structures. In this review, we summarize the major events that occur during this complex, largely elusive process, concentrating on those that are directly involved in network formation and potentiation and highlighting gaps in our knowledge, which, as hinted by the title, are substantial.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)221-234
Number of pages14
JournalPlant Molecular Biology
Volume76
Issue number3-5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2011

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments Work in the laboratories of Z.A. and Z.R. was supported by a joint grant from the F.I.R.S.T. (Bikura) program of the Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 1282/09). Z.R. wishes to thank financial support from the Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 1005/07), Dr. Josef Cohn Minerva center for Biomembrane Research, and the Carolito Stiftung. Z.A. thanks the Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 385/08) and the US—Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD, grant no. 4228-09) for their support. Members of both labs are acknowledged for stimulating discussions.

Keywords

  • Biogenesis
  • Chloroplast
  • Photosynthesis
  • Plastid
  • Thylakoid membranes

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