Diffusion of a membrane protein, Tat subunit Hcf106, is highly restricted within the chloroplast thylakoid network

FEBS Lett. 2009 Nov 19;583(22):3690-6. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.10.057. Epub 2009 Oct 23.

Abstract

The thylakoid membrane forms stacked thylakoids interconnected by 'stromal' lamellae. Little is known about the mobility of proteins within this system. We studied a stromal lamellae protein, Hcf106, by targeting an Hcf106-GFP fusion protein to the thylakoids and photobleaching. We find that even small regions fail to recover Hcf106-GFP fluorescence over periods of up to 3 min after photobleaching. The protein is thus either immobile within the thylakoid membrane, or its diffusion is tightly restricted within distinct regions. Autofluorescence from the photosystem II light-harvesting complex in the granal stacks likewise fails to recover. Integral membrane proteins within both the stromal and granal membranes are therefore highly constrained, possibly forming 'microdomains' that are sharply separated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chloroplasts / metabolism*
  • Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Nicotiana / cytology
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protoplasts / cytology
  • Protoplasts / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Thylakoids / metabolism*
  • Transformation, Genetic
  • Zea mays / metabolism

Substances

  • Hcf106 protein, plant
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins