Immunological studies on chlorophyll-a/b proteins and their distribution in thylakoid membrane domains

Abstract

The immunological relationships between chlorophyll-a/b proteins from higher-plant thylakoid membranes have been studied by assaying purified chlorophyll proteins (CPs) with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Although low levels of cross-reactions were observed between all light-harvesting proteins, the peripheral antennae (LHCII) were largely distinct from the inner antennae (CP 26 and CP 29). Chlorophyll-protein 24 and LHCI-680 have been proposed to have a role in connecting the inner and outer antennae, respectively, in photosystems I and II, and were closely related. The immunological relationships closely corresponded to the spectral properties. Antibodies were also used for locating chlorophyll-a/b proteins in grana, stroma and bundle-sheath membranes showing a strong lateral heterogeneity, which was maintained following State I State II transition. The only exception to this pattern was a specific LHCII population enriched in State-II stroma membranes. Chlorophyll proteins from bundlesheath chloroplasts, that have only cyclic electron flow, had epitopes distinct from those of their mesophyll homologues.