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Biochemical Properties of Mitochondrial Membrane from Dry Pea Seeds and Changes in the Properties during Imbibition

S Sato1, T Asahi

  • 1Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya 464, Japan.

Plant Physiology
|December 1, 1975
PubMed

Insights

Dry pea seeds contain at least three distinct dormant mitochondria types. Upon imbibition, these mitochondria transform into active, stable forms through protein assembly into their membranes.

Area of Science:

  • Plant Physiology
  • Mitochondrial Biology
  • Seed Dormancy

Background:

  • Intact mitochondria isolation from dry pea seeds is challenging.
  • Understanding mitochondrial states in dormant vs. imbibed seeds is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize mitochondria in dry pea seeds.
  • To investigate mitochondrial changes during seed imbibition.

Main Methods:

  • Sucrose density gradient centrifugation of crude mitochondrial fractions.
  • Equilibrium centrifugation of mitochondrial membranes.
  • Biochemical analysis of membrane phospholipid-protein content and polypeptide composition (SDS-PAGE).

Main Results:

  • Three distinct mitochondrial fractions were identified in dry pea seeds based on malate dehydrogenase activity and membrane properties.
  • Mitochondria lacking malate dehydrogenase had lighter membranes, higher phospholipid-to-protein ratios, and fewer high-molecular-weight polypeptides.
  • During imbibition, specific mitochondrial fractions degraded, while active, stable mitochondria increased.

Conclusions:

  • Dry pea seeds harbor at least three types of mitochondria with differing membrane biochemical properties.
  • Seed imbibition triggers a transformation process involving protein assembly into mitochondrial membranes, leading to functional mitochondria.

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