Plant and Cell Physiology Advance Access published online on February 27, 2007
Plant and Cell Physiology, doi:10.1093/pcp/pcm031
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Uncovering a link between a plastid translocon component and rhomboid proteases using yeast mitochondria-based assays
Department of Biology, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6
Corresponding author: Kenton Ko, Department of Biology, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6, Tel: 1-613-533-6155, Fax: 1-613-533-6617, kok{at}biology.queensu.ca
| Abstract |
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Rhomboid proteases are present in bacteria, insects, yeasts, parasites, mammals, and plants. These proteases are part of the regulated intramembrane proteolysis mechanism for controlling processes such as development, stress response, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial membrane remodeling. Specific rhomboid protease substrates linked to these processes have been identified from insects to mammals, but not for plants. Identification of a link is a key step for elucidating each rhomboid proteases role. Here, using a yeast mitochondria-based approach, we report evidence of a potential link between a plastid translocon component and organellar rhomboid proteases. This identification expands the types of processes involving RIP to potentially include at least one aspect of plastid protein transport.
Keywords: Plastid translocon - Rhomboid proteases - Yeast mitochondria- Mutants - Arabidopsis