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PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENT COMPOSITION IN THE PRIMITIVE GREEN ALGA MESOSTIGMA VIRIDE (PRASINOPHYCEAE): PHYLOGENETIC AND EVOLUTIONARY IMPLICATIONS 1
Author(s) -
Yoshii Yukie,
Takaichi Shinichi,
Maoka Takashi,
Inouye Isao
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8817.2003.02098.x
Subject(s) - neoxanthin , biology , violaxanthin , botany , antheraxanthin , carotenoid , chloroplast , photosynthesis , chlorophyta , green algae , pigment , algae , lutein , biochemistry , zeaxanthin , chemistry , organic chemistry , gene
The photosynthetic pigment composition of Mesostigma viride Lauterborn, a primitive green alga, was determined. This alga contained chl a and b , lycopene, lutein, siphonaxanthin, γ‐carotene, β‐carotene, antheraxanthin, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, and two novel carotenoid fatty acid esters, siphonaxanthin C12:0 ester and siphonaxanthin C14:0 ester. The esters were saturated, whereas all previously identified siphonaxanthin and loroxanthin esters have been mono‐unsaturated ( trans ‐Δ2). Neoxanthin was the all‐ trans form. This is the first such case detected in the chloroplasts of green plants. The 9′‐ cis form of neoxanthin is believed to be universally present in the chloroplasts of green plants (Streptophyta and Chlorophyta) and is a precursor of abscisic acid. However, the 9′‐ cis form was not found in M. viride. Based on these results, we discuss the phylogenetic implications and early evolution of the antenna pigment system in green plants.