Intracellular membranes: kinetics of superoxide production and changes in thylakoids of resurrection plants upon dehydration and rehydration

Synopsis Plants of Boea hygroscopica were grown in a controlled environment. Control leaves were detached from plants grown in well-watered conditions and then subjected for 144 h to rapid or slow dehydration. Dehydrated leaves were then rehydrated for 36 h in distilled water. Rapid-dried leaves were not able to revive, whereas slow-dried leaves recovered their normal metabolic status. Results showed a different superoxide radical production in the dehydrated leaves accompanied by an altered lipid composition. Rehydrated leaves recovered the original lipid composition of control leaves. Spin-labelled thylakoid proteins of dehydrated leaves showed lower -SH group levels and increased spin motion.