Fluorescence of the Protein of the Prolamellar Bodies of Etioplasts

In the high-purity membranes of the prolamellar bodies (PLB) of etioplasts, the main protein component of which is protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR), protein fluorescence in the 320–350-nm region with a maximum in the excitation spectrum at 278–280 nm has been revealed. The microsurrounding of protein fluorophors in an acidic medium (pH 4.0) is the most hydrophobic. Transfer of energy from the protein to pyrene present in the lipid of the PLB membranes is observed, but fluorescence of protochlorophyllide (Pd) is absent when pyrene is excited via protein. A change in the content of Pd and carotenoids in the membranes of PLB influences the degree of excimerization of the acceptor molecules of pyrene (inverse dependence). The character of interaction of POR with a membrane with allowance for the data on its primary and secondary structures is discussed.