Biochemistry of the violaxanthin cycle in higher plants

Abstract

The biochemistry of the violaxanthin cycle in relationship to photosynthesis is reviewed. The cycle is a component of the thylakoid and consists of a reaction sequence in which violaxanthin is converted to zeaxanthin (de-epoxidation) and then regenerated (epoxidation) through separate reaction mechanisms. The arrangement of the cycle in the thylakoid is transmembranaus with the de-epoxidation system situated on the loculus side and epoxidation on the outer side of the membrane.