Structure and Function of Photosynthetic Apparatus
Main researcher
: WRISCHER, MERCEDES (54316) Assistants
DEVIDE, ZVONIMIR (81825)
LJUBEŠIĆ, NIKOLA (26135)
HLOUŠEK-RADOJČIĆ, ALENKA (7011)
MODRUŠAN, ZORA (138446)
FULGOSI, HRVOJE (186771)
MURAJA, JASMINA (170060)
Type of research: basic Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/93. Papers on project (total): 43
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 9
Institution name: Institut "Ruđer Bošković", Zagreb (98) Department/Institute: Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry/Molecular Genetics Address: Bijenička c. 54 City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (01) 4561-111
Fax: 385 (01) 425-647
Fax: 385 (01) 425-647
Summary: The project comprises investigations of plastid
differentiation and the effect of growth substances and specific herbicides
on these processes. Ultrastructural changes in plastids will be studied on
the following systems: leucoplast (amyloplast) - chloroplast and leucoplast
- chloroplast - chromoplast. It will be studied to what extent some growth
substances influence these transformations. By applying specific herbicides
the plastid differentiation should be influenced and in this way the mode
of their inhibition determined. The mechanism of plastid division will be
studied, particularly the effect of some environmental factors on it.
Identification of the macromolecular components of plastids will be
investigated in detail, particularly the plastid proteins and plastid DNA.
The synthesis of specific protein complexes of photosynthetic apparatus
during development of chloroplasts from some other plastid types will be
examined. Parallelly with this work changes in the pigment composition of
photosynthetic membranes and of specific chromoplast membranes will be
studied. One of the objects examined will be plastids of the "aurea"
mutants. The effect of light on macromolecular components of the thylakoids
and the changes in plastid nucleoids during yellowing and regreening of
these leaves will be investigated.
Keywords: plastids, differentiation of plastids, plastid division, "aurea" plastids, growth substances, specific herbicides, plastid DNA, plastid proteins, plastid pigments
Research goals: By improving the existing and introducing new
analytical methods, like electron microscope cytochemistry and fluorescence
microscopy the proposers expect to increase the knowledge about plastids,
particularly about "nongreen" plastids. By introducing methods for
separation and analysis of proteins and specific methods for analysis of
pigments a better understanding of macromolecular changes in plastid
membranes during their differentiation are expected. The application of
fluorescence microscopy and specific fluorochromes should enable the study
of behaviour of plastid nucleoides during plastid division, differentiation
and dedifferentiation. A study of macromolecular structures of
photosynthetic membranes would enable a better understanding of the
transformations of "aurea" plastids induced by light and growth substances.
The reciprocal relation between the structure and biochemical composition
(proteins, carotenoids) is expected to be solved by application of growth
substances and herbicides which specifically interrupt or direct the
carotenoid biosynthesis.
COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS
Name of institution
: Zavod za molekularnu biologiju, Biološki
odjel, Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet, Sveučilište u Zagrebu Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia Other information about the project.