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Plant Genetic Engineering pp 179–198Cite as

Targeting of proteins to chloroplasts and mitochondria

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Part of the book series: Plant Biotechnology Series ((PBS))

Abstract

All cells transport proteins across membranes, but the complexity of protein traffic in plant cells is particularly striking. Plant cells contain a wide variety of organelles, each specialised to carry out particular functions, and each of which contains a distinct complement of proteins. A number of these organelles form the endomembrane system (endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, vacuole, protein bodies and glyoxysomes), and proteins destined for these organelles are almost always transported initially into the endoplasmic reticulum (see Chapter 7). In leaf cells, however, many other proteins are destined for either the chloroplast or the mitochondrion. In terms of protein targeting, the biogenesis of these organelles differs from that of the endomembrane system in two significant respects. Firstly, the biogenesis of both the chloroplast and the mitochondrion requires the activities of two genetic systems, since each of these organelles synthesises a small, but essential, proportion of the organellar proteins. Secondly, each of these semiautonom-ous organelles is composed of more than one membrane, and intraorganellar protein ‘sorting’ is therefore a central element in the biogenesis of both organelles. The purpose of this chapter is, firstly, to review our current knowledge of the synthesis and transport of chloroplast and mitochondrial proteins, and, secondly, to describe how this knowledge has been utilised in recent years to target foreign proteins into either organelle.

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Authors
  1. C. Robinson
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. AFRC Research Group in Plant Gene Regulation, Department of Physiology and Environmental Science, University of Nottingham, UK

    Don Grierson B.Sc., Ph.D., C.Biol., F.I.Biol. (Professor of Plant Physiology and Head) (Professor of Plant Physiology and Head)

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© 1991 Blackie & Son Ltd

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Robinson, C. (1991). Targeting of proteins to chloroplasts and mitochondria. In: Grierson, D. (eds) Plant Genetic Engineering. Plant Biotechnology Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9646-1_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9646-1_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-9648-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-9646-1

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