The prolamellar body as a distinctive model for biological membranes: structure, function, and application perspectives

Abstract

The prolamellar body (PLB) is a complex membrane structure found in plant etioplasts that exhibits a diamond-type cubic symmetry. The PLB features a unique architecture based on two independent aqueous channels of distinct geometries: the larger one remains in contact with the plastid stroma, while the smaller one serves as a precursor to the thylakoid lumen. This structure is formed through a precisely organized arrangement of lipids (mainly MGDG and DGDG), proteins (primarily LPOR), and pigments (including protochlorophyllide and carotenoids). Studies involving mutants with altered biochemical compositions, and analyses of stress factors affecting PLB organization, have clarified the roles of individual components in its formation and stabilization. The PLB’s unique features—such as its large scale (approximately 80 nm), phototransformation capability, and biocompatibility, make it a compelling model for new biomaterials, particularly in controlled-release systems. Recent advances in creating biomimetic structures inspired by the PLB have opened new avenues in nanomaterials engineering.