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The absence of cytoplasm ribosomes on the envelopes of chloroplasts and mitochondria in plants: Implications for the mechanism of transport of proteins into these organelles

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Chloroplasts and mitochondria ofChlamydomonas were examined by electron microscopy to determine if cytoplasmic ribosomes were associated with the envelopes of these organelles. Cells were treated with cycloheximide to prevent polypeptide chain completion, and resultant dissociation of envelope-ribosome associations. No extensive association of cytoplasm ribosomes with envelopes of chloroplasts, or mitochondria was detected in intact cells or in damaged cells in which cytoplasm was partly removed. Our results indicate that association of cytoplasm ribosomes with envelopes of chloroplasts or mitochondria is not an essential requirement for transport of polypeptides from cytoplasm to organelle.

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Chepko, G., Weistrop, J.S. & Margulies, M.M. The absence of cytoplasm ribosomes on the envelopes of chloroplasts and mitochondria in plants: Implications for the mechanism of transport of proteins into these organelles. Protoplasma 100, 385–392 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01279324

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01279324

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