Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
10:35
Plastoglobule Lipid Droplet Isolation from Plant Leaf Tissue and Cyanobacteria
Published on: October 6, 2022
Plastoglobules: versatile lipoprotein particles in plastids.
Claire Bréhélin1, Felix Kessler, Klaas J van Wijk
1Laboratoire de Physiologie Végétale, Institut de Biologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. claire.brehelin@unine.ch <claire.brehelin@unine.ch>
Trends in Plant Science
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Plastoglobules, essential plant cell particles, contain enzymes and proteins involved in lipid metabolism. Their dynamic nature suggests a role in channeling lipids, potentially improving plant nutrition and yield.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Cellular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Plastoglobules are lipoprotein particles found in plastids.
- They contain tocopherols, lipid metabolites, and plastoglobulins.
- Recent findings reveal enzymes involved in secondary metabolite metabolism within plastoglobules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition and potential functions of plastoglobules.
- To understand the role of enzymes found in plastoglobules.
- To explore the implications of plastoglobule function for plant improvement.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of plastoglobule composition.
- Enzyme activity assays.
- Microscopy to observe plastoglobule dynamics.
Main Results:
- Plastoglobules contain enzymes for lipid metabolism and others of unknown function.
- Plastoglobule size and number increase with light stress, senescence, and impaired thylakoid formation.
- Plastoglobules are associated with the thylakoid membrane.
Conclusions:
- Plastoglobules likely play a role in active channeling of lipids and their breakdown products.
- Understanding plastoglobule function is key to enhancing plant nutritional value and crop yield.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Protein Transport to the Inner Chloroplast Membrane
Proteins targeted to the inner chloroplast membrane, or plastid proteins, are transported by two general pathways: the stop-transfer and the re-insertion or post-import pathways. Most plastid proteins carry N-terminal transit sequences and internal import sequences targeting it to the specific chloroplast subcompartment. Proteins targeted by the stop-transfer pathway have internal hydrophobic sequences that inhibit their translocation into the stroma. As a result, these precursors are arrested...
01:11Protein Transport to the Outer Chloroplast Membrane
Chloroplast outer membrane proteins encoded by the nucleus are synthesized in the cytosol. Soon after synthesis, they bind cytosolic factors such as 14-3-3 protein and the Hsp70 chaperones that keep these precursors in an unfolded state until their translocation.
Two models describe the mechanism of precursor recognition and entry across the outer membrane through the TOC complex. Model 1 suggests the newly synthesized precursor binds to the TOC receptor 159 and forms a complex.
Two models describe the mechanism of precursor recognition and entry across the outer membrane through the TOC complex. Model 1 suggests the newly synthesized precursor binds to the TOC receptor 159 and forms a complex.
01:27Cell Inclusions
Prokaryotic cells possess a variety of inclusions that play crucial roles in nutrient storage, metabolic processes, and environmental adaptation. These structures enable bacteria to thrive under fluctuating environmental conditions by storing essential resources and optimizing their metabolic efficiency.Carbon Storage: Poly-β-Hydroxybutyric Acid and Glycogen GranulesBacteria frequently store excess carbon in specialized granules. Poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) granules are lipid polymers that...
01:09Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins
Plakins are large proteins with binding domains for microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and membrane-associated protein complexes at cell junctions. Plakin functions are evolutionarily conserved and are primarily involved in organizing the different components of the cytoskeleton by crosslinking them to each other and connecting them to the cell-matrix and cell adhesion complexes. They are also known to interact with signal transducers, serve as scaffolds for signaling...
01:38Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies
Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...
01:08The Anatomy of Chloroplasts
Green algae and plants, including green stems and unripe fruit, harbor specialized organelles called chloroplasts to carry out photosynthesis. They coordinate both stages of photosynthesis — the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions. The light-dependent reactions use sunlight to release oxygen and produce chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, and the light-independent reactions capture CO2 and use ATP and NADPH to produce sugar.
Structure of Chloroplasts
A...
Structure of Chloroplasts
A...