Sorting of nuclear-encoded chloroplast membrane proteins

Biomolecular condensates in plant cells: mediating and integrating environmental signals and development

In response to the spatiotemporal coordination of various biochemical reactions and membrane-encapsulated organelles, plants appear to provide another effective mechanism for cellular organization by phase separation that allows the internal compartmentalization of cells to form a variety of membrane-less organelles. Most of the research on phase separation has centralized in various non-plant systems, such as yeast and animal systems. Recent studies have shown a remarkable correlation between the formation of condensates in plant systems and the formation of condensates in these systems. Moreover, the last decade has made new advances in phase separation research in the context of plant biology. Here, we provide an overview of the physicochemical forces and molecular factors that drive liquid-liquid phase separation in plant cells and the biochemical characterization of condensates. We then explore new developments in phase separation research specific to plants, discussing examples of condensates found in green plants and detailing their role in plant growth and development. We propose that phase separation may be a conserved organizational mechanism in plant evolution to help plants respond rapidly and effectively to various environmental stresses as sessile organisms.

The property and function of proteins undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation in plants

A wide variety of membrane-less organelles in cells play an essential role in regulating gene expression, RNA processing, plant growth and development, and helping organisms cope with changing external environments. In biology, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) usually refers to a reversible process in which one or more specific molecular components are spontaneously separated from the bulk environment, producing two distinct liquid phases: concentrated and dilute. LLPS may be a powerful cellular compartmentalisation mechanism whereby biocondensates formed via LLPS when biomolecules exceed critical or saturating concentrations in the environment where they are found will be generated. It has been widely used to explain the formation of membrane-less organelles in organisms. LLPS studies in the context of plant physiology are now widespread, but most of the research is still focused on non-plant systems; the study of phase separation in plants needs to be more thorough. Proteins and nucleic acids are the main components involved in LLPS. This review summarises the specific features and properties of biomolecules undergoing LLPS in plants. We describe in detail these biomolecules' structural characteristics, the mechanism of formation of condensates, and the functions of these condensates. Finally, We summarised the phase separation mechanisms in plant growth, development, and stress adaptation.

The Main Functions of Plastids

Plastids are semi-autonomous organelles like mitochondria and derive from a cyanobacterial ancestor that was engulfed by a host cell. During evolution, they have recruited proteins originating from the nuclear genome, and only parts of their ancestral metabolic properties were conserved and optimized to limit functional redundancy with other cell compartments. Furthermore, large disparities in metabolic functions exist among various types of plastids, and the characterization of their various metabolic properties is far from being accomplished. In this review, we provide an overview of the main functions, known to be achieved by plastids or shared by plastids and other compartments of the cell. In short, plastids appear at the heart of all main plant functions.

Structures of Get3d reveal a distinct architecture associated with the emergence of photosynthesis

Homologs of the protein Get3 have been identified in all domains yet remain to be fully characterized. In the eukaryotic cytoplasm, Get3 delivers tail-anchored (TA) integral membrane proteins, defined by a single transmembrane helix at their C terminus, to the endoplasmic reticulum. While most eukaryotes have a single Get3 gene, plants are notable for having multiple Get3 paralogs. Get3d is conserved across land plants and photosynthetic bacteria and includes a distinctive C-terminal α-crystallin domain. After tracing the evolutionary origin of Get3d, we solve the Arabidopsis thaliana Get3d crystal structure, identify its localization to the chloroplast, and provide evidence for a role in TA protein binding. The structure is identical to that of a cyanobacterial Get3 homolog, which is further refined here. Distinct features of Get3d include an incomplete active site, a "closed" conformation in the apo-state, and a hydrophobic chamber. Both homologs have ATPase activity and are capable of binding TA proteins, supporting a potential role in TA protein targeting. Get3d is first found with the development of photosynthesis and conserved across 1.2 billion years into the chloroplasts of higher plants across the evolution of photosynthesis suggesting a role in the homeostasis of photosynthetic machinery.

Understanding protein import in diverse non-green plastids

The spectacular diversity of plastids in non-green organs such as flowers, fruits, roots, tubers, and senescing leaves represents a Universe of metabolic processes in higher plants that remain to be completely characterized. The endosymbiosis of the plastid and the subsequent export of the ancestral cyanobacterial genome to the nuclear genome, and adaptation of the plants to all types of environments has resulted in the emergence of diverse and a highly orchestrated metabolism across the plant kingdom that is entirely reliant on a complex protein import and translocation system. The TOC and TIC translocons, critical for importing nuclear-encoded proteins into the plastid stroma, remain poorly resolved, especially in the case of TIC. From the stroma, three core pathways (cpTat, cpSec, and cpSRP) may localize imported proteins to the thylakoid. Non-canonical routes only utilizing TOC also exist for the insertion of many inner and outer membrane proteins, or in the case of some modified proteins, a vesicular import route. Understanding this complex protein import system is further compounded by the highly heterogeneous nature of transit peptides, and the varying transit peptide specificity of plastids depending on species and the developmental and trophic stage of the plant organs. Computational tools provide an increasingly sophisticated means of predicting protein import into highly diverse non-green plastids across higher plants, which need to be validated using proteomics and metabolic approaches. The myriad plastid functions enable higher plants to interact and respond to all kinds of environments. Unraveling the diversity of non-green plastid functions across the higher plants has the potential to provide knowledge that will help in developing climate resilient crops.

Chloroplast proteostasis: A story of birth, life, and death

Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is a dynamic balance of protein synthesis and degradation. Because of the endosymbiotic origin of chloroplasts and the massive transfer of their genetic information to the nucleus of the host cell, many protein complexes in the chloroplasts are constituted from subunits encoded by both genomes. Hence, the proper function of chloroplasts relies on the coordinated expression of chloroplast- and nucleus-encoded genes. The biogenesis and maintenance of chloroplast proteostasis are dependent on synthesis of chloroplast-encoded proteins, import of nucleus-encoded chloroplast proteins from the cytosol, and clearance of damaged or otherwise undesired "old" proteins. This review focuses on the regulation of chloroplast proteostasis, its interaction with proteostasis of the cytosol, and its retrograde control over nuclear gene expression. We also discuss significant issues and perspectives for future studies and potential applications for improving the photosynthetic performance and stress tolerance of crops.

GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN variants with enhanced folding are more efficiently imported into chloroplasts

Chloroplasts and mitochondria are subcellular organelles that evolved from cyanobacteria and α-proteobacteria, respectively. Although they have their own genomes, the majority of their proteins are encoded by nuclear genes, translated by cytosolic ribosomes, and imported via outer and inner membrane translocon complexes. The unfolding of mature regions of proteins is thought to be a prerequisite for the import of the proteins into these organelles. However, it is not fully understood how protein folding properties affect their import into these organelles. In this study, we examined the import behavior of chloroplast and mitochondrial reporters with normal green fluorescent protein (GFP) and two GFP variants with enhanced folding propensity, superfolder GFP (sfGFP) and extra-superfolder GFP (esGFP), which is folded better than sfGFP. sfGFP and esGFP were less dependent on the sequence motifs of the transit peptide (TP) and import machinery during protein import into Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) chloroplasts, compared with normal GFP. sfGFP and esGFP were efficiently imported into chloroplasts by a mutant TP with an alanine substitution in the N-terminal MLM motif, whereas the same mutant TP showed a defect in importing normal GFP into chloroplasts. Moreover, sfGFP and esGFP were efficiently imported into plastid protein import 2 (ppi2) and heat shock protein 93-V (hsp93-V) plants, which have mutations in atToc159 and Hsp93-V, respectively. In contrast, the presequence-mediated mitochondrial import of sfGFP and esGFP was severely impaired. Based on these results, we propose that the chloroplast import machinery is more tolerant to different folding states of preproteins, whereas the mitochondrial machinery is more specialized in the translocation of unfolded preproteins.

A Plastid-Bound Ankyrin Repeat Protein Controls Gametophyte and Early Embryo Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Proplastids are essential precursors for multi-fate plastid biogenesis, including chloroplast differentiation, a powerhouse for photosynthesis in plants. Arabidopsis ankyrin repeat protein (AKRP, AT5G66055) is a plastid-localized protein with a putative function in plastid differentiation and morphogenesis. Loss of function of akrp leads to embryo developmental arrest. Whether AKRP is critical pre-fertilization has remained unresolved. Here, using reverse genetics, we report a new allele, akrp-3, that exhibited a reduced frequency of mutant embryos (<13%) compared to previously reported alleles. akrp-3 affected both male and female gametophytes resulting in reduced viability, incompetence in pollen tube attraction, altered gametic cell fate, and embryo arrest that were depleted of chlorophyll. AKRP is widely expressed, and the AKRP-GFP fusion localized to plastids of both gametophytes, in isolated chloroplast and co-localized with a plastid marker in pollen and pollen tubes. Cell-type-specific complementation of akrp-3 hinted at the developmental timing at which AKRP might play an essential role. Our findings provide a plausible insight into the crucial role of AKRP in the differentiation of both gametophytes and coupling embryo development with chlorophyll synthesis.

Protein Targeting Into the Thylakoid Membrane Through Different Pathways

In higher plants, chloroplasts are essential semi-autonomous organelles with complex compartments. As part of these sub-organellar compartments, the sheet-like thylakoid membranes contain abundant light-absorbing chlorophylls bound to the light-harvesting proteins and to some of the reaction center proteins. About half of the thylakoid membrane proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and synthesized in the cytosol as precursors before being imported into the chloroplast. After translocation across the chloroplast envelope by the Toc/Tic system, these proteins are subsequently inserted into or translocated across the thylakoid membranes through distinct pathways. The other half of thylakoid proteins are encoded by the chloroplast genome, synthesized in the stroma and integrated into the thylakoid through a cotranslational process. Much progress has been made in identification and functional characterization of new factors involved in protein targeting into the thylakoids, and new insights into this process have been gained. In this review, we introduce the distinct transport systems mediating the translocation of substrate proteins from chloroplast stroma to the thylakoid membrane, and present the recent advances in the identification of novel components mediating these pathways. Finally, we raise some unanswered questions involved in the targeting of chloroplast proteins into the thylakoid membrane, along with perspectives for future research.

New Insights into the Chloroplast Outer Membrane Proteome and Associated Targeting Pathways

Plastids are a dynamic class of organelle in plant cells that arose from an ancient cyanobacterial endosymbiont. Over the course of evolution, most genes encoding plastid proteins were transferred to the nuclear genome. In parallel, eukaryotic cells evolved a series of targeting pathways and complex proteinaceous machinery at the plastid surface to direct these proteins back to their target organelle. Chloroplasts are the most well-characterized plastids, responsible for photosynthesis and other important metabolic functions. The biogenesis and function of chloroplasts rely heavily on the fidelity of intracellular protein trafficking pathways. Therefore, understanding these pathways and their regulation is essential. Furthermore, the chloroplast outer membrane proteome remains relatively uncharted territory in our understanding of protein targeting. Many key players in the cytosol, receptors at the organelle surface, and insertases that facilitate insertion into the chloroplast outer membrane remain elusive for this group of proteins. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of well-characterized chloroplast outer membrane protein targeting pathways as well as provide new insights into novel targeting signals and pathways more recently identified using a bioinformatic approach. As a result of our analyses, we expand the known number of chloroplast outer membrane proteins from 117 to 138.

Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Phenomenon on Protein Sorting Within Chloroplasts

In higher plants, chloroplasts are vital organelles possessing highly complex compartmentalization. As most chloroplast-located proteins are encoded in the nucleus and synthesized in the cytosol, the correct sorting of these proteins to appropriate compartments is critical for the proper functions of chloroplasts as well as plant survival. Nuclear-encoded chloroplast proteins are imported into stroma and further sorted to distinct compartments via different pathways. The proteins predicted to be sorted to the thylakoid lumen by the chloroplast twin arginine transport (cpTAT) pathway are shown to be facilitated by STT1/2 driven liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Liquid-liquid phase separation is a novel mechanism to facilitate the formation of membrane-less sub-cellular compartments and accelerate biochemical reactions temporally and spatially. In this review, we introduce the sorting mechanisms within chloroplasts, and briefly summarize the properties and significance of LLPS, with an emphasis on the novel function of LLPS in the sorting of cpTAT substrate proteins. We conclude with perspectives for the future research on chloroplast protein sorting and targeting mechanisms.

Functional Organization of Sequence Motifs in Diverse Transit Peptides of Chloroplast Proteins

Although the chloroplasts in plants are characterized by an inherent genome, the chloroplast proteome is composed of proteins encoded by not only the chloroplast genome but also the nuclear genome. Nuclear-encoded chloroplast proteins are synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes and post-translationally targeted to the chloroplasts. In the latter process, an N-terminal cleavable transit peptide serves as a targeting signal required for the import of nuclear-encoded chloroplast interior proteins. This import process is mediated via an interaction between the sequence motifs in transit peptides and the components of the TOC/TIC (translocon at the outer/inner envelope of chloroplasts) translocons. Despite a considerable diversity in primary structures, several common features have been identified among transit peptides, including N-terminal moderate hydrophobicity, multiple proline residues dispersed throughout the transit peptide, preferential usage of basic residues over acidic residues, and an absence of N-terminal arginine residues. In this review, we will recapitulate and discuss recent progress in our current understanding of the functional organization of sequence elements commonly present in diverse transit peptides, which are essential for the multi-step import of chloroplast proteins.

Phase separation in plants: New insights into cellular compartmentalization

A fundamental challenge for cells is how to coordinate various biochemical reactions in space and time. To achieve spatiotemporal control, cells have developed organelles that are surrounded by lipid bilayer membranes. Further, membraneless compartmentalization, a process induced by dynamic physical association of biomolecules through phase transition offers another efficient mechanism for intracellular organization. While our understanding of phase separation was predominantly dependent on yeast and animal models, recent findings have provided compelling evidence for emerging roles of phase separation in plants. In this review, we first provide an overview of the current knowledge of phase separation, including its definition, biophysical principles, molecular features and regulatory mechanisms. Then we summarize plant-specific phase separation phenomena and describe their functions in plant biological processes in great detail. Moreover, we propose that phase separation is an evolutionarily conserved and efficient mechanism for cellular compartmentalization which allows for distinct metabolic processes and signaling pathways, and is especially beneficial for the sessile lifestyle of plants to quickly and efficiently respond to the changing environment.

A homolog of GuidedEntry of Tail-anchored proteins3 functions in membrane-specific protein targeting in chloroplasts of Arabidopsis

The chloroplasts and mitochondria of photosynthetic eukaryotes contain proteins that are closely related to cytosolic Guided Entry of Tail-anchored proteins3 (Get3). Get3 is a targeting factor that efficiently escorts tail-anchored (TA) proteins to the ER. Because other components of the cytosolic-targeting pathway appear to be absent in organelles, previous investigators have asserted that organellar Get3 homologs are unlikely to act as targeting factors. However, we show here both that the Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplast homolog designated as GET3B is structurally similar to cytosolic Get3 proteins and that it selectively binds a thylakoid-localized TA protein. Based on genetic interactions between a get3b mutation and mutations affecting the chloroplast signal recognition particle-targeting pathway, as well as changes in the abundance of photosynthesis-related proteins in mutant plants, we propose that GET3B acts primarily to direct proteins to the thylakoids. Furthermore, through molecular complementation experiments, we show that function of GET3B depends on its ability to hydrolyze ATP, and this is consistent with action as a targeting factor. We propose that GET3B and related organellar Get3 homologs play a role that is analogous to that of cytosolic Get3 proteins, and that GET3B acts as a targeting factor in the chloroplast stroma to deliver TA proteins in a membrane-specific manner.

Engineered Accumulation of Bicarbonate in Plant Chloroplasts: Known Knowns and Known Unknowns

Heterologous synthesis of a biophysical CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) in plant chloroplasts offers significant potential to improve the photosynthetic efficiency of C3 plants and could translate into substantial increases in crop yield. In organisms utilizing a biophysical CCM, this mechanism efficiently surrounds a high turnover rate Rubisco with elevated CO2 concentrations to maximize carboxylation rates. A critical feature of both native biophysical CCMs and one engineered into a C3 plant chloroplast is functional bicarbonate (HCO3 -) transporters and vectorial CO2-to-HCO3 - converters. Engineering strategies aim to locate these transporters and conversion systems to the C3 chloroplast, enabling elevation of HCO3 - concentrations within the chloroplast stroma. Several CCM components have been identified in proteobacteria, cyanobacteria, and microalgae as likely candidates for this approach, yet their successful functional expression in C3 plant chloroplasts remains elusive. Here, we discuss the challenges in expressing and regulating functional HCO3 - transporter, and CO2-to-HCO3 - converter candidates in chloroplast membranes as an essential step in engineering a biophysical CCM within plant chloroplasts. We highlight the broad technical and physiological concerns which must be considered in proposed engineering strategies, and present our current status of both knowledge and knowledge-gaps which will affect successful engineering outcomes.

A VHH-Fc Fusion Targeted to the Chloroplast Thylakoid Lumen Assembles and Neutralizes Enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7

Chimeric fusion proteins comprising a single domain antibody (V_HH) fused to a crystallizable fragment (Fc) of an immunoglobulin are modular glycoproteins that are becoming increasingly in demand because of their value as diagnostics, research reagents and passive immunization therapeutics. Because ER-associated degradation and misfolding may potentially be limiting factors in the oxidative folding of V_HH-Fc fusion proteins in the ER, we sought to explore oxidative folding in an alternative sub-compartment, the chloroplast thylakoid lumen, and determine its viability in a molecular farming context. We developed a set of in-house expression vectors for transient transformation of Nicotiana benthamiana leaves that target a V_HH-Fc to the thylakoid lumen via either secretory (Sec) or twin-arginine translocation (Tat) import pathways. Compared to stromal [6.63 ± 3.41 mg/kg fresh weight (FW)], cytoplasmic (undetectable) and Tat-import pathways (5.43 ± 2.41 mg/kg FW), the Sec-targeted V_HH-Fc showed superior accumulation (30.56 ± 5.19 mg/kg FW), but was less than that of the ER (51.16 ± 9.11 mg/kg FW). Additionally, the introduction of a rationally designed de novo disulfide bond enhances in planta accumulation when introduced into the Sec-targeted Fc fusion protein from 50.24 ± 4.08 mg/kg FW to 110.90 ± 6.46 mg/kg FW. In vitro immunofluorescent labeling assays on V_HH-Fc purified from Sec, Tat, and stromal pathways demonstrate that the antibody still retains V_HH functionality in binding Escherichia coli O157:H7 and neutralizing its intimate adherence to human epithelial type 2 cells. These results overall provide a proof of concept that the oxidative folding environment of the thylakoid lumen may be a viable compartment for stably folding disulfide-containing recombinant V_HH-Fc proteins.

Go your own way: membrane-targeting sequences

Membrane-targeting sequences, connected targeting mechanisms, and co-factors orchestrate primary targeting of proteins to membranes.

Kinases and protein motifs required for AZI1 plastid localization and trafficking during plant defense induction

The proper subcellular localization of defense factors is an important part of the plant immune system. A key component for systemic resistance, lipid transfer protein (LTP)-like AZI1, is needed for the systemic movement of the priming signal azelaic acid (AZA) and a pool of AZI1 exists at the site of AZA production, the plastid envelope. Moreover, after systemic defense-triggering infections, the proportion of AZI1 localized to plastids increases. However, AZI1 does not possess a classical plastid transit peptide that can explain its localization. Instead, AZI1 uses a bipartite N-terminal signature that allows for its plastid targeting. Furthermore, the kinases MPK3 and MPK6, associated with systemic immunity, promote the accumulation of AZI1 at plastids during priming induction. Our results indicate the existence of a mode of plastid targeting possibly related to defense responses.

Arabidopsis ORANGE protein regulates plastid pre-protein import through interacting with Tic proteins

Chloroplast-targeted proteins are actively imported into chloroplasts via the machinery spanning the double-layered membranes of chloroplasts. While the key translocons at the outer (TOC) and inner (TIC) membranes of chloroplasts are defined, proteins that interact with the core components to facilitate pre-protein import are continuously being discovered. A DnaJ-like chaperone ORANGE (OR) protein is known to regulate carotenoid biosynthesis as well as plastid biogenesis and development. In this study, we found that OR physically interacts with several Tic proteins including Tic20, Tic40, and Tic110 in the classic TIC core complex of the chloroplast import machinery. Knocking out or and its homolog or-like greatly affects the import efficiency of some photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic pre-proteins. Consistent with the direct interactions of OR with Tic proteins, the binding efficiency assay revealed that the effect of OR occurs at translocation at the inner envelope membrane (i.e. at the TIC complex). OR is able to reduce the Tic40 protein turnover rate through its chaperone activity. Moreover, OR was found to interfere with the interaction between Tic40 and Tic110, and reduces the binding of pre-proteins to Tic110 in aiding their release for translocation and processing. Our findings suggest that OR plays a new and regulatory role in stabilizing key translocons and in facilitating the late stage of plastid pre-protein translocation to regulate plastid pre-protein import.

Normal Structure and Function of Endothecium Chloroplasts Maintained by ZmMs33-Mediated Lipid Biosynthesis in Tapetal Cells Are Critical for Anther Development in Maize

Genic male sterility (GMS) is critical for heterosis utilization and hybrid seed production. Although GMS mutants and genes have been studied extensively in plants, it has remained unclear whether chloroplast-associated photosynthetic and metabolic activities are involved in the regulation of anther development. In this study, we characterized the function of ZmMs33/ZmGPAT6, which encodes a member of the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) family that catalyzes the first step of the glycerolipid synthetic pathway. We found that normal structure and function of endothecium (En) chloroplasts maintained by ZmMs33-mediated lipid biosynthesis in tapetal cells are crucial for maize anther development. ZmMs33 is expressed mainly in the tapetum at early anther developmental stages and critical for cell proliferation and expansion at late stages. Chloroplasts in En cells of wild-type anthers function as starch storage sites before stage 10 but as photosynthetic factories since stage 10 to enable starch metabolism and carbohydrate supply. Loss of ZmMs33 function inhibits the biosynthesis of glycolipids and phospholipids, which are major components of En chloroplast membranes, and disrupts the development and function of En chloroplasts, resulting in the formation of abnormal En chloroplasts containing numerous starch granules. Further analyses reveal that starch synthesis during the day and starch degradation at night are greatly suppressed in the mutant anthers, leading to carbon starvation and low energy status, as evidenced by low trehalose-6-phosphate content and a reduced ATP/AMP ratio. The energy sensor and inducer of autophagy, SnRK1, was activated to induce early and excessive autophagy, premature PCD, and metabolic reprogramming in tapetal cells, finally arresting the elongation and development of mutant anthers. Taken together, our results not only show that ZmMs33 is required for normal structure and function of En chloroplasts but also reveal that starch metabolism and photosynthetic activities of En chloroplasts at different developmental stages are essential for normal anther development. These findings provide novel insights for understanding how lipid biosynthesis in the tapetum, the structure and function of En chloroplasts, and energy and substance metabolism are coordinated to maintain maize anther development.

Protein Sorting within Chloroplasts

Chloroplasts have multiple suborganellar membranes. Correct and efficient translocation of chloroplast proteins from their site of synthesis into or across membranes to their functional compartments are fundamental processes. In recent years, several new components and regulatory mechanisms involved in chloroplast protein import and sorting have been explored. Moreover, the formation of liquid-liquid phase transition (LLPT) has been recently reported as a novel mechanism for regulating chloroplast protein sorting. Here, we overview the recent advances of both nuclear- and chloroplast-encoded protein trafficking to their final destination within chloroplasts, and discuss the novel components and regulatory mechanisms of intrachloroplast sorting. Furthermore, we propose that LLPT may be a universal and conserved mechanism for driving organelle protein trafficking and organelle biogenesis.

The N-terminal and third transmembrane domain of PsCor413im1 are essential for targeting to chloroplast envelope membrane

Cold-regulated (COR) genes, located downstream of the C-repeat binding factors (CBFs) in cold signaling pathways, play a central role in plant response to cold stress. In our previous studies, a Cor413 chloroplast envelope membrane protein, PsCor413im1, was identified from the cold-tolerant plant Phlox subulata. Its overexpression enhanced cold tolerance and altered AtCor15 expression in Arabidopsis. In the present study, the function of PsCor413im1 was further investigated. Transmission electron microscope observation showed that the chloroplast envelope membrane of cold-treated transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings was more stable than that of cold-treated wild-type seedlings. Subcellular localization of green fluorescent protein as a marker revealed that the N-terminal and putative third transmembrane domain (TMD) of PsCor413im1 were essential for its targeting of the chloroplast envelope membrane. Furthermore, overexpression of PsCor413im1 fragments containing N-terminal and third TMD also altered the expression of AtCor15 genes in Arabidopsis. Overall, our results suggest that PsCor413im1 may stabilize the chloroplast envelope membrane under cold stress, and its N-terminal and third TMD are important for its targeting capability and function.

Protein import into chloroplasts and its regulation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system

Chloroplasts are photosynthetic plant organelles descended from a bacterial ancestor. The vast majority of chloroplast proteins are synthesized in the cytosol and then imported into the chloroplast post-translationally. Translocation complexes exist in the organelle's outer and inner envelope membranes (termed TOC and TIC, respectively) to facilitate protein import. These systems recognize chloroplast precursor proteins and mediate their import in an energy-dependent manner. However, many unanswered questions remain regarding mechanistic details of the import process and the participation and functions of individual components; for example, the cytosolic events that mediate protein delivery to chloroplasts, the composition of the TIC apparatus, and the nature of the protein import motor all require resolution. The flux of proteins through TOC and TIC varies greatly throughout development and in response to specific environmental cues. The import process is, therefore, tightly regulated, and it has emerged that the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a key role in this regard, acting at several different steps in the process. The UPS is involved in: the selective degradation of transcription factors that co-ordinate the expression of chloroplast precursor proteins; the removal of unimported chloroplast precursor proteins in the cytosol; the inhibition of chloroplast biogenesis pre-germination; and the reconfiguration of the TOC apparatus in response to developmental and environmental signals in a process termed chloroplast-associated protein degradation. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of protein import into chloroplasts and how this process is regulated by the UPS.

Liquid-Liquid Phase Transition Drives Intra-chloroplast Cargo Sorting

In eukaryotic cells, organelle biogenesis is pivotal for cellular function and cell survival. Chloroplasts are unique organelles with a complex internal membrane network. The mechanisms of the migration of imported nuclear-encoded chloroplast proteins across the crowded stroma to thylakoid membranes are less understood. Here, we identified two Arabidopsis ankyrin-repeat proteins, STT1 and STT2, that specifically mediate sorting of chloroplast twin arginine translocation (cpTat) pathway proteins to thylakoid membranes. STT1 and STT2 form a unique hetero-dimer through interaction of their C-terminal ankyrin domains. Binding of cpTat substrate by N-terminal intrinsically disordered regions of STT complex induces liquid-liquid phase separation. The multivalent nature of STT oligomer is critical for phase separation. STT-Hcf106 interactions reverse phase separation and facilitate cargo targeting and translocation across thylakoid membranes. Thus, the formation of phase-separated droplets emerges as a novel mechanism of intra-chloroplast cargo sorting. Our findings highlight a conserved mechanism of phase separation in regulating organelle biogenesis.

Origins, function, and regulation of the TOC-TIC general protein import machinery of plastids

The evolution of chloroplasts from the original endosymbiont involved the transfer of thousands of genes from the ancestral bacterial genome to the host nucleus, thereby combining the two genetic systems to facilitate coordination of gene expression and achieve integration of host and organelle functions. A key element of successful endosymbiosis was the evolution of a unique protein import system to selectively and efficiently target nuclear-encoded proteins to their site of function within the chloroplast after synthesis in the cytoplasm. The chloroplast TOC-TIC (translocon at the outer chloroplast envelope-translocon at the inner chloroplast envelope) general protein import system is conserved across the plant kingdom, and is a system of hybrid origin, with core membrane transport components adapted from bacterial protein targeting systems, and additional components adapted from host genes to confer the specificity and directionality of import. In vascular plants, the TOC-TIC system has diversified to mediate the import of specific, functionally related classes of plastid proteins. This functional diversification occurred as the plastid family expanded to fulfill cell- and tissue-specific functions in terrestrial plants. In addition, there is growing evidence that direct regulation of TOC-TIC activities plays an essential role in the dynamic remodeling of the organelle proteome that is required to coordinate plastid biogenesis with developmental and physiological events.

The TOC GTPase Receptors: Regulators of the Fidelity, Specificity and Substrate Profiles of the General Protein Import Machinery of Chloroplasts

More than 2500 nuclear encoded preproteins are required for the function of chloroplasts in terrestrial plants. These preproteins are imported into chloroplasts via the concerted action of two multi-subunit translocons of the outer (TOC) and inner (TIC) membranes of the chloroplast envelope. This general import machinery functions to recognize and import proteins with high fidelity and efficiency to ensure that organelle biogenesis is properly coordinated with developmental and physiological events. Two components of the TOC machinery, Toc34 and Toc159, act as the primary receptors for preproteins at the chloroplast surface. They interact with the intrinsic targeting signals (transit peptides) of preproteins to mediate the selectivity of targeting, and they contribute to the quality control of import by constituting a GTP-dependent checkpoint in the import reaction. The TOC receptor family has expanded to regulate the import of distinct classes of preproteins that are required for remodeling of organelle proteomes during plastid-type transitions that accompany developmental changes. As such, the TOC receptors function as central regulators of the fidelity, specificity and selectivity of the general import machinery, thereby contributing to the integration of protein import with plastid biogenesis.

Calmodulin is involved in the dual subcellular location of two chloroplast proteins

Cell compartmentalization is an essential process by which eukaryotic cells separate and control biological processes. Although calmodulins are well-known to regulate catalytic properties of their targets, we show here their involvement in the subcellular location of two plant proteins. Both proteins exhibit a dual location, namely in the cytosol in addition to their association to plastids (where they are known to fulfil their role). One of these proteins, ceQORH, a long-chain fatty acid reductase, was analyzed in more detail, and its calmodulin-binding site was identified by specific mutations. Such a mutated form is predominantly targeted to plastids at the expense of its cytosolic location. The second protein, TIC32, was also shown to be dependent on its calmodulin-binding site for retention in the cytosol. Complementary approaches (bimolecular fluorescence complementation and reverse genetics) demonstrated that the calmodulin isoform CAM5 is specifically involved in the retention of ceQORH in the cytosol. This study identifies a new role for calmodulin and sheds new light on the intriguing CaM-binding properties of hundreds of plastid proteins, despite the fact that no CaM or CaM-like proteins were identified in plastids.

Protein import into chloroplasts via the Tic40-dependent and -independent pathways depends on the amino acid composition of the transit peptide

Preprotein import into chloroplasts is mediated by the coordinated actions of translocons at the outer and inner envelopes of chloroplasts (Toc and Tic, respectively). The cleavable N-terminal transit peptide (TP) of preproteins plays an essential role in the import of preproteins into chloroplasts. The Tic40 protein, a component of the Tic complex, is believed to mediate the import of preproteins through the inner envelope. In this study, we aimed to obtain in vivo evidence supporting the role of Tic40 in preprotein import into chloroplasts. Contrary to previous findings, the import of various preproteins with wild-type TPs showed no difference between tic40 and wild-type protoplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the import of N-terminal mutants of the RbcS protein (RbcS-nt), in which basic amino acid residues (arginine and lysine) in the central region of the TP were substituted with neutral (alanine) or acidic (glutamic acid) amino acid residues, was dependent on Tic40. In addition, in tic40 protoplasts, the inner envelope protein Tic40 tagged with HA (hemagglutinin) showed more intermediate form present in the stroma. Based on these results, we propose that protein can be imported into chloroplast by either Tic40-independent or Tic40-dependent pathways depending on the types of TP.

Targeted Control of Chloroplast Quality to Improve Plant Acclimation: From Protein Import to Degradation

The chloroplast is an important energy-producing organelle acting as an environmental sensor for the plant cell. The normal turnover of the entire damaged chloroplast and its specific components is required for efficient photosynthesis and other metabolic reactions under stress conditions. Nuclear-encoded proteins must be imported into the chloroplast through different membrane transport complexes, and the orderly protein import plays an important role in plant adaptive regulation. Under adverse environmental conditions, the damaged chloroplast or its specific components need to be degraded efficiently to ensure normal cell function. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanism of protein import and degradation in the chloroplast. Specifically, quality control of chloroplast from protein import to degradation and associated regulatory pathways are discussed to better understand how plants adapt to environmental stress by fine-tuning chloroplast homeostasis, which will benefit breeding approaches to improve crop yield.

Membrane-Specific Targeting of Tail-Anchored Proteins SECE1 and SECE2 Within Chloroplasts

Membrane proteins that are imported into chloroplasts must be accurately targeted in order to maintain the identity and function of the highly differentiated internal membranes. Relatively little is known about the targeting information or pathways that direct proteins with transmembrane domains to either the inner envelope or thylakoids. In this study, we focused on a structurally simple class of membrane proteins, the tail-anchored proteins, which have stroma-exposed amino-terminal domains and a single transmembrane domain within 30 amino acids of the carboxy-terminus. SECE1 and SECE2 are essential tail-anchored proteins that function as components of the dual SEC translocases in chloroplasts. SECE1 localizes to the thylakoids, while SECE2 localizes to the inner envelope. We have used transient expression in Arabidopsis leaf protoplasts and confocal microscopy in combination with a domain-swapping strategy to identify regions that contain important targeting determinants. We show that membrane-specific targeting depends on features of the transmembrane domains and the short C-terminal tails. We probed the contributions of these regions to targeting processes further through site-directed mutagenesis. We show that thylakoid targeting still occurs when changes are made to the tail of SECE1, but changing residues in the tail of SECE2 abolishes inner envelope targeting. Finally, we discuss possible parallels between sorting of tail-anchored proteins in the stroma and in the cytosol.

Peculiar features of the plastids of the colourless alga Euglena longa and photosynthetic euglenophytes unveiled by transcriptome analyses

Euglenophytes are a familiar algal group with green alga-derived secondary plastids, but the knowledge of euglenophyte plastid function and evolution is still highly incomplete. With this in mind we sequenced and analysed the transcriptome of the non-photosynthetic species Euglena longa. The transcriptomic data confirmed the absence of genes for the photosynthetic machinery, but provided candidate plastid-localised proteins bearing N-terminal bipartite topogenic signals (BTSs) of the characteristic euglenophyte type. Further comparative analyses including transcriptome assemblies available for photosynthetic euglenophytes enabled us to unveil salient aspects of the basic euglenophyte plastid infrastructure, such as plastidial targeting of several proteins as C-terminal translational fusions with other BTS-bearing proteins or replacement of the conventional eubacteria-derived plastidial ribosomal protein L24 by homologs of archaeo-eukaryotic origin. Strikingly, no homologs of any key component of the TOC/TIC system and the plastid division apparatus are discernible in euglenophytes, and the machinery for intraplastidial protein targeting has been simplified by the loss of the cpSRP/cpFtsY system and the SEC2 translocon. Lastly, euglenophytes proved to encode a plastid-targeted homolog of the termination factor Rho horizontally acquired from a Lambdaproteobacteria-related donor. Our study thus further documents a substantial remodelling of the euglenophyte plastid compared to its green algal progenitor.

Targeting and translocation of proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum at a glance

The evolutionary emergence of organelles was a defining process in diversifying biochemical reactions within the cell and enabling multicellularity. However, compartmentalization also imposed a great challenge-the need to import proteins synthesized in the cytosol into their respective sites of function. For example, one-third of all genes encode for proteins that must be targeted and translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which serves as the entry site to the majority of endomembrane compartments. Decades of research have set down the fundamental principles of how proteins get from the cytosol into the ER, and recent studies have brought forward new pathways and additional regulators enabling better definition of the rules governing substrate recognition. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we give an overview of our current understanding of the multifaceted and regulated processes of protein targeting and translocation to the ER.

Evolution and Design Principles of the Diverse Chloroplast Transit Peptides

Chloroplasts are present in organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. These organelles are thought to have originated from photosynthetic cyanobacteria through endosymbiosis. During endosymbiosis, most cyanobacterial genes were transferred to the host nucleus. Therefore, most chloroplast proteins became encoded in the nuclear genome and must return to the chloroplast after translation. The N-terminal cleavable transit peptide (TP) is necessary and sufficient for the import of nucleus-encoded interior chloroplast proteins. Over the past decade, extensive research on the TP has revealed many important characteristic features of TPs. These studies have also shed light on the question of how the many diverse TPs could have evolved to target specific proteins to the chloroplast. In this review, we summarize the characteristic features of TPs. We also highlight recent advances in our understanding of TP evolution and provide future perspectives about this important research area.

The Main Functions of Plastids

Plastids are semiautonomous organelles like mitochondria, and derive from a cyanobacterial ancestor that was engulfed by a host cell. During evolution, they have recruited proteins originating from the nuclear genome, and only parts of their ancestral metabolic properties were conserved and optimized to limit functional redundancy with other cell compartments. Furthermore, large disparities in metabolic functions exist among various types of plastids, and the characterization of their various metabolic properties is far from being accomplished. In this review, we provide an overview of the main functions, known to be achieved by plastids or shared by plastids and other compartments of the cell. In short, plastids appear at the heart of all main plant functions.