ISSN:
1615-6102
Keywords:
Algae
;
Chloroplast envelopes
;
Filipin-sterol complexes
;
Freeze-fracture
;
Higher plants
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary The occurrence and planar distribution of 3-β-hydroxysterols in chloroplast envelope membranes of different algae and higher plants has been studied with the freeze-fracture technique using the polyene antibiotic filipin as cytochemical marker. The inner chloroplast envelope membrane in all organisms studied is devoid of filipin-sterol complexes. The outer chloroplast envelope membranes of isolated higher plant chloroplasts (spinach, pea) and of chloroplasts of the mossPolytrichum piliferum are lacking filipin-sterol complexes, thus indicating a very low concentration of 3-β-hydroxysterols in chloroplast envelope membranes of higher plants. In contrast filipin-sterol complexes are abundant in the outer chloroplast envelope membrane of the flagellatesChlamydomonas reinhardii, Cryptomonas erosa, andEuglena gracilis. The chloroplast-ER surrounding the plastid ofCryptomonas erosa also exhibits filipin-sterol complexes. Functional and phylogenetic aspects of these observations are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01287452
