Identification of hydroxy-plastochromanol in Arabidopsis leaves

In the present study we have identified hydroxy-plastochromanol in plants for the first time. This compound was found both in low light and high light-grown Arabidopsis plants, however, under high light stress its level was considerably increased. Hydroxy-plastochromanol accumulated also during ageing of leaves of low light-grown plants, similarly as in the case of other prenyllipids. Our results indicate that hydroxy-plastochromanol found in leaves is probably formed as a result of plastochromanol oxidation by singlet oxygen generated in photosystem II during photosynthesis. These data also support the hypothesis that plastochromanol is an efficient antioxidant in vivo, similarly as tocopherols and plastoquinol.