Chloroplast biogenesis: detection of divinylprotochlorophyllide ester in higher plants

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Abstract
The protochlorophyllide ester pool of etiolated higher plants [cucumber seeds (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Beit Alpha MR), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Red Kidney), hybrid sweet corn (Zea mays L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare cv. Beacon Spring), hulled pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds, etiolated Euglena gracilis cells] is a faithful copy of the protochlorophyllide pool. It is made up of both monovinyl- and divinylprotochlorophyllide esters. Although the 2 tetrapyrroles exhibited similar emission maxima, they were distinguishable by their Soret excitation maxima, which were found at 436-437 and 443-444 nm, respectively, in ether at 77.degree. K. The 2 pigments were partially separated on thin layers of polyethylene. They were accompanied by 2 unknown fluorescent compounds. During greening, the protochlorophyllide ester pool maintained a constant qualitative composition. This was in sharp contrast with the drastic qualitative changes undergone by the protochlorophyllide pool of etiolated tissues grown under identical conditions.