title: A novel blue fluorescent chlorophyll catabolite accumulates in senescent leaves of the peace lily and indicates a split path of chlorophyll breakdown.
abstract: Colorless, non-fluorescent Chl-catabolites (NCCs) are the typical, ubiquitous products of chlorophyll (Chl)-breakdown in senescent leaves. However, a fluorescent Chl-catabolite (FCC) accumulated in de-greened leaves of Spathiphyllum wallisii (Peace Lily), which showed a weak blue luminescence. The FCC, named Sw-FCC-62, was 'hypermodified' with an unprecedented 6-(2-[3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl]-ethyl)-β-glucopyranosidyl ester at the propionyl group. Such esters stabilize FCCs against their typical and rapid, spontaneous isomerization to NCCs. Chl-breakdown in Sp. wallisii thus branches off from the 'common' path in leaves, and furnishes unique and 'persistent' FCCs. Our findings on 'hypermodified' FCCs also call for attention as to possible physiological roles of Chl-catabolites in plants.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. Bernhard.kraeutler@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kräutler
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banala
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergeiner
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Cornelius
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lütz
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holzinger
mesh_terms: D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005453:Fluorescence; D027762:Lilium / Q000378:metabolism*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008954:Models, Biological; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D002734:Chlorophyll