Lipids In Photosynthesis

Lipids in Photosynthesis provides readers with a comprehensive view of the structure, function and genetics of lipids in plants, algae and bacteria, with special emphasis on the photosynthetic apparatus in thylakoid membranes. This volume includes the historical background of the field, as well as a full review of our current understanding of the structure and molecular organization of lipids and their role in the functions of photosynthetic membranes. The physical properties of membrane lipids in thylakoid membranes and their relationship to photosynthesis are also discussed. Other topics include the biosynthesis of glycerolipids and triglycerides; reconstitution of photosynthetic structures and activities with lipids; lipid-protein interactions in the import of proteins into chloroplasts; the development of thylakoid membranes as it relates to lipids; genetic engineering of the unsaturation of membrane glycerolipids, with a focus on the ability of the photosynthetic machinery to tolerate temperature stress; and the involvement of chloroplast lipids in the reactions of plants upon exposure to stress. This book is intended for a wide audience and should be of interest to advanced undergraduate and graduate students and to researchers active in the field, as well as to those scientists whose fields of specialization include the biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, biophysics and biotechnology of membranes.

Lipids in Photosynthesis: Essential and Regulatory Functions, provides an essential summary of an exciting decade of research on relationships between lipids and photosynthesis. The book brings together extensively cross-referenced and peer-reviewed chapters by prominent researchers. The topics covered include the structure, molecular organization and biosynthesis of fatty acids, glycerolipids and nonglycerolipids in plants, algae, lichens, mosses, and cyanobacteria, as well as in chloroplasts and mitochondria. Several chapters deal with the manipulation of the extent of unsaturation of fatty acids and the effects of such manipulation on photosynthesis and responses to various forms of stress. The final chapters focus on lipid trafficking, signaling and advanced analytical techniques. Ten years ago, Siegenthaler and Murata edited "Lipids in Photosynthesis: Structure, Function and Genetics," which became a classic in the field. "Lipids in Photosynthesis: Essential and Regulatory Functions," belongs, with its predecessor, in every plant and microbiological researcher's bookcase.

This book summarizes recent advances in understanding the functions of plant and algal lipids in photosynthesis, in development and signaling, and in industrial applications. As readers will discover, biochemistry, enzymology and analytical chemistry, as well as gene knock-out studies have all contributed to our rapidly increasing understanding of the functions of lipids. In the past few decades, distinct physical and biochemical properties of specific lipid classes were revealed in plant and algal lipids and the functional aspects of lipids in modulating critical biological processes have been uncovered. These chapters from international authors across relevant research fields highlight the underlying evolutionary context of lipid function in photosynthetic unicellular and multicellular organisms. The book goes on to encompass what lipids can do for industrial applications at a time of fascination with plants and algae in carbon fixation and as sources for production of food, energy and novel chemicals. The developmental context is a part of the fresh and engaging perspective that is presented in this work which graduate students and scientists will find both illuminating and useful.

This book contains a number of papers dealing with the main topics of a Symposium on "Lipids and Lipid Polymers in Higher Plants", held in July 1976 at the Botanical Institute of the University of Karlsruhe. The symposium was organized by Professors E. Heinz, H.K. Lichtenthaler, H.K. Mangold, and M. Tevini. The sponsorship by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Erwin-Riesch-Stiftung is gratefully acknowledged. The intention of the Symposium was to bring together in one place scientists working in very different fields of plant lipids, such as fatty acids, glycolipids, phospholipids, prenyllipids, sterols, and lipid polymers. The emphasis was placed on biosynthesis, distribution, function, and physiology of the various higher plant lipids and their role in biomembranes and epidermal cell walls. By combining the major contributions in this book, we hope to give all plant scientists access to the recent developments in biochemistry and physiology of plant lipid metabolism. The editors are very grateful to the contributors, who have taken great care to present up-to-date reviews. Karlsruhe, May 1977 M. TEVINI H.K. LICHTENTHALER Contents Section 1. Function, Organization and Lipid Composition of Biomembranes Chapter 1. Functional Organization of Biomembranes P. SITTE (With 15 Figures) A. Introduction. . . . . 1 B. Membrane Functions . 2 I. Membrane Diversity 2 II. Membranes as Barriers 4 III. Lipids and Permeability . 5 IV. Specific Transport . . . 8 V. Membrane Flow and Membrane Families 9 VI. General Principles of Cellular Compartmentation 10 C. Membrane Biogenesis. . . . . . . . . . . . .

A collection of papers that comprehensively describe the major areas of research on lipid metabolism of plants. State-of-the-art knowledge about research on fatty acid and glycerolipid biosynthesis, isoprenoid metabolism, membrane structure and organization, lipid oxidation and degradation, lipids as intracellular and extracellular messengers, lipids and environment, oil seeds and gene technology is reviewed. The different topics covered show that modern tools of plant cellular and molecular biology, as well as molecular genetics, have been recently used to characterize several key enzymes of plant lipid metabolism (in particular, desaturases, thioesterases, fatty acid synthetase) and to isolate corresponding cDNAs and genomic clones, allowing the use of genetic engineering methods to modify the composition of membranes or storage lipids. These findings open fascinating perspectives, both for establishing the roles of lipids in membrane function and intracellular signalling and for adapting the composition of seed oil to the industrial needs. This book will be a good reference source for research scientists, advanced students and industrialists wishing to follow the considerable progress made in recent years on plant lipid metabolism and to envision the new opportunities offered by genetic engineering for the development of novel oil seeds.

This series, Methods in Plant Biochemistry, provides an authoritative reference on current techniques in the various fields of plant biochemical research. Under the expert guidance of a guest editor, each volume will provide comprehensive, practical information on the assay and analytical techniques appropriate for a particular family of plant compounds. The emphasis here is on techniques and laboratory procedures. No plant biochemical laboratory can afford to be without this comprehensive and up-to-date reference.