Biosynthesis of Chlorophyll from Protochlorophyll(ide) in Green Plant Leaves

N. V. Ignatov^* and F. F. Litvin

School of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119899 Russia; E-mail: lsatina@psychology.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received May 28, 2001; Revision received December 24, 2001

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Using spectral methods, the biosynthesis of protochlorophyll(ide) and chlorophyll(ide) in green plant leaves was studied. The main chlorophyll precursors in the green leaves (as in etiolated leaves) were photoactive photocholorophyll(ide) forms Pchl(ide)655/650(448) and Pchl(ide)653/648(440). The contributions into Chl biosynthesis of the shorter-wavelength precursor forms, which were accumulated in darkened green leaves as well, were completely absent (of Pchl(ide) 633/628(440)) or insignificant (of Pchl(ide) 642/635(444)).

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KEY WORDS: biosynthesis of chlorophyll, chlorophyll(ide), etiolated leaves, green leaves, protochlorophyll(ide), protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase

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