Altered lipid matrix changes energy distribution in thylakoids

Abstract

Photosynthetic membranes differ from other cellular rnembranes in that they have a thylakoid specific lipid composition and a high degree of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The typical acyl lipid complement of thylakoids seems to have two functions: the organization of the membrane matrix in which the pigment protein complexes are embedded and the indirect structure-function relationships between lipid matrix and pigment protein complexes which influence energy distribution behaviour. The role of high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and indirect structure-function rclationships can be studied by inhibiting fatty acid desaturation sequence with pyridazinone herbicides.