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Updated: May 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Non-Invasive High-Resolution Measurement of Chlorophyll Synthesis During De-Etiolation
Published on: January 12, 2024
Phytoene synthase and phytoene dehydrogenase associated with envelope membranes from spinach chloroplasts
F Lütke-Brinkhaus1, B Liedvogel, K Kreuz
1Institut für Biologie II, Zellbiologie, Universität Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-7800, Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Abstract:
Envelope membranes of spinach chloroplasts contain appreciable activities of the carotenogenic enzymes phytoene synthase (formation of phytoene by condensation of two molecules geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate) and phytoene dehydrogenase (formation of lycopene from phytoene), plus a phosphatase activity. These results were obtained by coincubation experiments using isolated envelope membranes and either a phytoene-forming in vitro system (from [1-(14)C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate) or [(14)C]geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate or a geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate-forming in vitro system (from [1-(14)C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate). Within thylakoids carotenogenic enzymes could not be detected. It is concluded that the chloroplast envelope is at least a principal site of the membrane-bound steps of carotenoid biosynthesis in chloroplasts.
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