The transmembrane distribution of galactolipids in chloroplast thylakoids is universal in a wide variety of temperate climate plants.

The transmembrane distribution of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol and digalactosyldiacylglycerol was determined in chloroplast thylakoids from a range of temperate climate plants. These plants included dicotyledons, monocotyledons, C16:3 and C18:3 plants and herbicide-resistant species. In all the thylakoids examined monogalactosyldiacylglycerol was enriched in the outer leaflet (53-65%) while digalactosyldiacylglycerol was highly enriched in the inner leaflet (78-90%). The non-bilayer forming monogalactosyldiacylglycerol represented 55-81% of the total acyl lipids of the outer monolayer. The relative acyl lipid composition of both leaflets of the thylakoid membrane indicates that the lamellar structure is strongly favored in the inner monolayer, whereas the outer one presents a metastable character which allows the probable coexistence of both lamellar and non-lamellar phases. The consequence of this asymmetry for the stability and function of the thylakoid membrane is discussed.