| Popis: |
Background: Chlorophyllases (Chlases) are housekeeping proteins in plant cells. The dephytylating enzymes can catalyze chlorophyll (Chl) to form chlorophyllide, but the distribution of Chlases in plant cells is still an interesting debate. In this study, antibody of PmCLH2 was made and used by immunogold-labelling technique to detect the location of Chlase of Pachira macrocarpa (Pm) leaves at four developmental stages, including young, mature, yellowing, and senesced stages. Results: The transmission electron microscopy results show that Chlases were comprehensively found in portions of chloroplast, such as the inner membrane of the envelope, grana, and the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast, cytosol, and vacuoles at young, mature, and yellowing stages of Pm leaves, but not in the cell wall, plasma membrane, mitochondria, and nucleus. Conclusions: PmChlases were mainly detected in vacuoles at the senescent stage, but a few were found in the chloroplasts. A pathway is proposed to explain the birth and death of Chl, Chlase, and chloroplasts in higher plants. |
