Chlorophyllase activity in green and non-green tissues of variegated plants

The main objective of this work was to compare activity of chlorophyllase (chlase) in green and non-green sectors of leaves. Our results show that various plants exhibited different abilities and specificities with regard to chlases. Large variations in chlase activity existed in seven all-green plants, and Pachira macrocarpa contained significantly higher chlase activity compared to the other plants. The chlase activity was detected in both non-green and green sectors of the leaves; however, non-green parts had significantly higher chlase activity than did green parts in most of the variegated plants. Most of the chlases in all-green and variegated plants exhibited higher substrate preference toward the chl b than chl a. The activity and localization of chlase in P. macrocarpa were higher in chloroplast envelope membrane fractions than thylakoid fractions.

► P. macrocarpa contained higher chlase activity compared to the other plants.
► Non-green parts had higher chlase activity than did green parts in the variegated plants.
► Chlase exhibited higher substrate preference towards the chl b than chl a.
► The localization of chlase in macrocarpa was higher in envelope membrane than thylakoid fractions.