Nuclear, virescent mutants of Zea mays L. with high levels of chlorophyll (a/b) light-harvesting complex during thylakoid assembly

• Published in: Plant physiology (Bethesda) Vol. 77; no. 4; pp. 795 - 800
• Main Authors: Polacco, M.L, Chang, M.T, Neuffer, M.G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rockville, MD American Society of Plant Physiologists 01.04.1985
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Cell structures and functions; CHLOROPHYLL; Chloroplast, photosynthetic membrane and photosynthesis; Chloroplasts; Corn; Economic plant physiology; Fluorescence; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gels; Lipids; Molecular and cellular biology; MUTANT; MUTANTES; MUTANTS; Net assimilation, photosynthesis, carbon metabolism. Photorespiration, respiration, fermentation (anoxia, hypoxia); Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism; OPTICAL PROPERTIES; Phenotypes; Plants; PROPIEDADES OPTICAS; PROPRIETE OPTIQUE; Seedlings; Solvents; THYLAKOIDS; ZEA MAYS; Monocotyledones; Vegetals; Zea mays; Light harvesting system; Biosynthesis; Thylakoid; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Pigment protein complex; Development; Spermatophyta; Mutation; Chloroplast
• ISSN: 0032-0889; 1532-2548
• DOI: 10.1104/pp.77.4.795

We have found nuclear, recessive mutants in Zea mays L. where assembly of the major chlorophyll (a/b) light-harvesting complex (LHC) was not delayed relative to most other thylakoid protein complexes during thylakoid biogenesis. This contrasts with the normal development of maize chloroplasts (NR Baker, R Leech 1977 Plant Physiol 60: 640-644). All four mutants examined were allelic and virescent, and displayed visibly higher yields of leaf Chl fluorescence during greening. Fully greened mutants had normal leaf Chl fluorescence yield and normal levels of LHC, and grew to maturity under field conditions. Therefore, delayed LHC assembly is not an obligate feature of thylakoid differentiation. Assigning the molecular basis for the mutation should provide information concerning reguation of LHC assembly. Several possibilities are discussed. The pleiotropic mutant phenotype is not attributable to defects in thylakoid glycerolipid synthesis. Thylakoids isolated from greening mutant leaf sections had elevated glycerolipid/Chl ratios. In addition, both the molar distribution and acyl composition of four major glycerolipids were normal for developing mutant thylakoids.