Thylakoidal system transports folded proteins: plants

Thylakoids of plants and cyanobacteria are able to transport folded or malformed proteins across tightly sealed membranes via a protein translocation system.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Regulate physiological processes >
	Cellular processes

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Cancer, auto-immune disease, and bacterial research; plant breeding.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"A subset of lumen proteins is transported across the thylakoid membrane by a Sec-independent translocase that recognizes a twin-arginine motif in the targeting signal. A related system operates in bacteria, apparently for the export of redox cofactor-containing proteins. In this report we describe a key feature of this system, the ability to transport folded proteins. The thylakoidal system is able to transport dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) when an appropriate signal is attached, and the transport efficiency is almost undiminished by the binding of folate analogs such as methotrexate that cause the protein to fold very tightly. The system is moreover able to transport DHFR into the lumen with methotrexate bound in the active site, demonstrating that the ΔpH-driven transport of large, native structures is possible by this pathway. However, correct folding is not a prerequisite for transport. Truncated, malfolded DHFR can be translocated by this system, as can physiological substrates that are severely malfolded by the incorporation of amino acid analogs." (Hynds et al. 1998:34868)

About the inspiring organism

Plantae
Plantae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Cancer, auto-immune disease, and bacterial research; plant breeding.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Medicine, agriculture

Experts

Robinson Lab
Colin Robinson
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick

References

Hynds, P. J.; Robinson, D.; Robinson, C. 1998. The Sec-independent Twin-arginine Translocation System Can Transport Both Tightly Folded and Malfolded Proteins across the Thylakoid Membrane. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 273(52): 34868-34874.

Thylakoidal system transports folded proteins: plants

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