The formation of chlorophyll from chlorophyllide in leaves containing proplastids is a four-step process

The time course of the different esters of chlorophyllide (Chlide) during t he formation of chlorophyll a (Chl) in embryonic bean leaves containing pro plastids was investigated by HPLC. After the reduction of photoactive Pchli de (Pchlide) to Chlide, three intermediates, i.e. Chlide geranylgeraniol, C hlide dihydrogeranylgeraniol and Chlide tetrahydrogeranylgeraniol were dete cted before the formation of Chlide phytol, i.e. authentic Chl. The transfo rmation of Chlide to Chl was found to be much faster in leaves containing p roplastids than in etiolated leaves with etioplasts. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.