Differential expression of LHCII genes in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of maize

Abstract

The properties and composition of bundle sheath and mesophyll thylakoids from maize leaves are compared. This was possible because of the isolation of large amounts of purified material obtained by enzymatic digestion of mechanically disrupted leaves. Bundle sheath thylakoids from mature leaves, lack the chlorophyll-proteins and polypeptides associated with the reaction centre of photosystem II. They do, however, contain significant amounts of LHCII, which transfers excitation energy to photosystem I. LHCII isolated from bundle sheath thylakoids had a different freeze-fracture ultrastructure and a different polypeptide composition from LHCII isolated from mesophyll thylakoids, indicating a differential expression of the LHCII gene family in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells of maize leaves. © 1986 Carlsberg Laboratory.