Anthocyanin-dependent anoxygenic photosynthesis in coloured flower petals?

Sci Rep. 2013 Nov 28:3:3373. doi: 10.1038/srep03373.

Abstract

Chlorophylless flower petals are known to be composed of non-photosynthetic tissues. Here, we show that the light energy storage that can be photoacoustically measured in flower petals of Petunia hybrida is approximately 10-12%. We found that the supposed chlorophylless photosynthesis is an anoxygenic, anthocyanin-dependent process occurring in blue flower petals (ADAPFP), accompanied by non-respiratory light-dependent oxygen uptake and a 1.5-fold photoinduced increase in ATP levels. Using a simple, adhesive tape stripping technique, we have obtained a backside image of an intact flower petal epidermis, revealing sword-shaped ingrowths connecting the cell wall and vacuole, which is of interest for the further study of possible vacuole-related photosynthesis. Approaches to the interpretations of ADAPFP are discussed, and we conclude that these results are not impossible in terms of the known photochemistry of anthocyanins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / genetics
  • Anthocyanins / genetics*
  • Cell Wall / genetics
  • Flowers / genetics*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / genetics
  • Light
  • Photosynthesis / genetics*
  • Plant Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Adenosine Triphosphate