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Molecular cloning of a chloroplastic proteinassociated with both the envelope and thylakoid membranes

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Abstract

Chloroplasts consist of six morphologically distinct compartments. Each compartment has a specific set of polypeptides that perform distinct biochemical functions. We report here the identification of a membrane-associated protein with a novel localization. This protein was synthesized as a 37 kDa precursor and was processed to a mature protein of 30 kDa after being imported into isolated pea chloroplasts. Fractionation of chloroplasts showed that the 30 kDa mature protein was associated with both of the envelope membranes as well as with thylakoid membranes. Immunocyto-chemical localization of the 30 kDa protein revealed that the protein occurred in clusters in the vicinity of both the envelope and the thylakoid. Possible functions of this 30 kDa protein, inferred from its novel localization pattern, are discussed.

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Abbreviations

CAB:

light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of photosystem II

prCAB:

precursor protein to CAB

SS:

small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase

prSS:

precursor protein to SS

RCF:

relative centrifugation force

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Author notes

  1. Hsou-min Li

    Present address: Plant Biology Laboratory, The Salk Institute, P.O. Box 85800, 92186-5800, San Diego, CA, USA

  2. Yasuko Kaneko

    Present address: Department of Regulation Biology, Faculty of Science, Saitama University, 338, Urawa, Japan

  3. Kenneth Keegstra

    Present address: MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, 48824-1312, East Lansing, MI, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, 53706, Madison, WI, USA

    Hsou-min Li, Yasuko Kaneko & Kenneth Keegstra

Authors
  1. Hsou-min Li
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  2. Yasuko Kaneko
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  3. Kenneth Keegstra
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Li, Hm., Kaneko, Y. & Keegstra, K. Molecular cloning of a chloroplastic proteinassociated with both the envelope and thylakoid membranes. Plant Mol Biol 25, 619–632 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029601

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00029601

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