Chloroplast membrane structure. Intramembranous particles of different sizes make contact in stacked membrane regions

Abstract

The supramolecular architecture of stacked thylakoid membrane regions of class II spinach chloroplasts has been investigated by means of freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Such membranes contain two basic types of intramembranous particles: large particles, which are found on the fracture face of the lumenal membrane leaflet (Bs face), and smaller ones which are found on the fracture face of the external leaflet (Cs face). By analyzing thylakoid membranes containing geometrical arrangements of intramembranous particles it is shown (a) that within the plane of each membrane approximately two small particles are associated with each large particle, and (b) that normal thylakoid stacking involves the connection of large particles of one membrane to small particles of the other and vice versa. If the two types of particles are related to Photosystems I and II, as suggested by circumstantial evidence, then our observations provide support for the idea that maximum Photosystem I-Photosystem II interaction is obtained by intermembrane subunit interaction in grana stacks. To this end, our results suggest that stacking should enhance the quantum yield at very low light intensities.