Membrane Assembly during Acclimation to Low Temperature: Lipid-protein Interaction

Abstract

It is the prolonged exposure of plants to low temperature under natural conditions which is an absolute requirement for the initiation of a cold acclimation process and the subsequent establishment of a cold-hardy state which imparts the property of freezing resistance to the plant. Huner (1985b) has suggested that cold-acclimation in winter cereals under natural conditions, is a direct consequence of plant growth and development at low, cold-hardening temperatures. Furthermore, Huner (1985b) has shown that leaves of winter rye (Secale cereale L. cv Puma and cv Muskateer) undergo distinct morphological, anatomical and biochemical changes during growth and development at low temperature. The thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts have been used as a model system for identifying the primary lesions induced by freezing (Garber and Steponkus, 1976a; 1976b; Klosson and Krause, 1981). However, we have utilized the thylakoid membrane to examine membrane assembly during growth and development at low temperature in order to understand the role(s) that this process may play in plant acclimation to low temperature. We have reported that the gross polypeptide, pigment and lipid compositions are not significantly altered during development at cold-hardening temperatures.