Membrane deterioration during senescence

Abstract

The lipid bilayers of plant membranes are normally liquid crystalline, reflecting the inherent rotational motion of membrane fatty acids at physiological temperature. With the onset of senescence, the chemical composition of membrane lipids changes resulting in lipid phase separations within the bilayer. These phase changes render the membranes leaky and lead to loss of essential ion gradients and impairment of cell function. The separation of lipid phases appears to be attributable to an accumulation of lipid metabolites in the bilayer that are formed during turnover and metabolism of membrane lipids. These metabolites are normally released from membranes as lipid–protein particles found in the cell cytosol and within organelles. The lipid–protein particles also contain catabolites of membrane proteins and appear to serve as a vehicle for removing lipid and protein metabolites that would otherwise destabilize the bilayer. They bear structural resemblance to oil bodies, which are abundant in oil seeds, and have been found in leaves, cotyledons, and petals as well as in insect and animal tissue. The accumulation of lipid metabolites in senescing membranes and ensuing separation of lipid phases appear to reflect impairment of lipid–protein particle release from membranes as tissues age and to be a seminal cause of membrane dysfunction with advancing senescence. Key words: lipid bilayer, lipid phase separation, lipid–protein particles, membrane, oil body, senescence.