Biochemistry of Indian summer: physiology of autumnal leaf coloration

The autumnal coloration of foliage in deciduous trees represents a most spectacular phytogerontological phenomenon. It is primarily due to the progressive loss of chlorophyll coinciding with the partial retention of carotenoids. Leaf senescence is a developmental process that is aimed at the recycli...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental Gerontology 2000-03, Vol.35 (2), p.145-158
Main Author: Matile, Philippe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthocyanin
Biochemistry - methods
Carotenoid retention
Chlorophyll - metabolism
Chlorophyll - physiology
Chlorophyll catabolism
Color
Gerontoplasts
Leaf senescence
Melanin
Nutrient recycling
Seasons
Trees
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Summary:The autumnal coloration of foliage in deciduous trees represents a most spectacular phytogerontological phenomenon. It is primarily due to the progressive loss of chlorophyll coinciding with the partial retention of carotenoids. Leaf senescence is a developmental process that is aimed at the recycling of nutrients to perennial parts of the tree for reuse upon the production of new foliage in spring. The remobilization of protein in senescing chloroplasts requires the dismantling of pigment-protein complexes and concomitant photodynamic inactivation of chlorophyll. Detoxification of chlorophyll is achieved by enzymic opening of the porphyrin macrocycle followed by modifications of the resulting linear tetrapyrrole and storage of colorless final catabolites in the vacuoles of degreening leaf cells. The polychromatic beauty of autumnal trees is due to species-specific variations of the degree of carotenoid retention, new synthesis of red anthocyanins and, upon cell death, the formation of dark oxidation products of phenolics.
ISSN:0531-5565
1873-6815
DOI:10.1016/S0531-5565(00)00081-4