FLUORESCENCE OF PROTOCHLOROPHYLLIDE IN THE CELLS OF GREEN-ALGA CHLAMYDOMONAS-REINHARDTII

While measuring fluorescence low-temperature spectra of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants uncapable of dark biosynthesis of chlorophyll a, there was found in them, like in higher ethiolated plants, the existence of several forms of protochlorophyllide (PChd). It has been shown that unlike the ethiolated plants, the short-wave forms of the pigment are involved in phototransformations in the alga chloroplasts. Judging by spectral characteristics these pigment forms are monomeric. The long-wave form of PChd in the alga chloroplasts seems to be inactive. It is suggested that the latter are involved in the pigment aggregate or pigment crystal formed during its excessive accumulation in the cell. The spectral forms of PChd are shown to be indenedent of the fact what pigment-protein complexes can be synthesized by the alga.