Exposure of thylakoid membranes to high temperature in dark leads to the degradation of D1 protein. Maximum degradation of D1 protein occurred at 45 °C. Using N-terminal specific D1 antibody, a 23 kDa fragment of D1 protein was detected. The degradation of D1 protein could be prevented both by radical scavengers and inhibitors of serine protease and metallo-protease. These results suggest that degradation of D1 protein during exposure of thylakoid membranes to high temperature in dark is catalyzed by protease. and A. K. Singh, G. S. Singhal.