Symmetric disruption of the Toc33/Toc159-GTPase interface in Arabidopsis
| Project responsable | Félix Kessler |
| Abstract |
Photosynthesis is an essential process for life on earth because it
allows the assimilation of carbon in the form of carbohydrates.
Photosynthesis takes place in a special organelle, the chloroplast.
Around 2000 proteins are required to build a functional chloroplast.
The genes for most of these proteins are on chromosomes in the cell
nucleus. Therefore, the proteins are made in the cytosol and
imported into the chloroplast. During their import, proteins must
traverse the two envelope membranes of the chloroplast. Import
involves a molecular transport machine in the envelopes consisting
of Translocons at the outer (Toc) and inner envelope membrane
(Tic). Toc159 and Toc33 are important receptor components at the
surface of the organelle. They first recognize the chloroplast
proteins and then facilitate their import. Together, they are
absolutely needed to make the chloroplast. Both Toc159 and Toc33
are known to be switched on and off by GTP. Our goal is to
understand how the GTP molecular switch works to accomplish protein
import and allow the development of the photosynthetic
chloroplast. |
| Keywords |
protein import, Photosynthesis, Chloroplast, Biogenesis |
| Type of project | Fundamental research project |
| Research area | Biologie cellulaire, cytologie |
| Method of financing | FNS - Encouragement de projets (Div. I-III) |
| Status | Completed |
| Start of project | 1-1-2006 |
| End of project | 30-6-2009 |
| Overall budget | 474'028.00 |
| Contact | Félix Kessler |