Absence of ribosomes in Capsicum chromoplasts

Ribosome development was followed by electron microscopy and gel electrophoresis of ribosomal (r)RNAs in the plastids of fully expanded fruits of Capsicum annuum L. during ripening. Chloroplasts from young Capsicum leaves were used as a structural and electrophoretic standard. Four stages were distinguished on the basis of colour changes during fruit ripening. Chloroplasts of the green fruit had a lower content of 16S and 23S rRNAs than leaf chloroplasts. They contained only a few ribosomes, some more discrete "ribosomal particles", and the contrast of ribosomal structures was faint. From the outset of ripening, most of the ribosomal structures in the plastid stroma disappeared. A continuous decrease in plastid rRNAs occurred during ripening. Fully differentiated chromoplasts of the red fruit did not contain rRNAs or ribosomes. Throughout plastid development, DNA nucleoids were evident and there was only a small decrease in the DNA peak on electrophoretograms. The loss of ribosomes during the chloroplast-to-chromoplast conversion in Capsicum fruit is discussed in relation to the variations in pigments and enzymic systems in both plastid types.