ACTIVATION OF LIPID PEROXIDATION AS A MECHANISM OF PLANT CELL REARRANGEMENTS UNDER MICROGRAVITY

Activation of the lipid peroxidation (LP) is an universal process perturbating cell membranes under different unfavourable conditions. It is suggested that the LP can be one of the important mechanisms of plant cell rearrangements under altered gravity as well. The purpose of this investigation is to study the LP intensity in pea leaves and chloroplasts under 7- and 14-day clinorotation. The intensification of the LP under both terms of clinorotation, particularly under more prolonged, is detected. The adaptive increase in the unsaturated fatty acid content under 7-day clinorotation and their minor decrease under 14-day clinorotation are revealed. The lowering of electron transport rate in both photosystems, particularly in PSI, is established. Our results confirm that the LP may be one of the mechanisms of plant cell rearrangements under microgravity.