Chloroplasts alter their morphology and accumulate at the pathogen interface during infection by Phytophthora infestans

Upon immune activation, chloroplasts switch off photosynthesis, produce antimicrobial compounds and associate with the nucleus through tubular extensions called stromules. Although it is well established that chloroplasts alter their position in response to light, little is known about the dynamics of chloroplast movement in response to pathogen attack. Here, we report that during infection with the Irish potato famine pathogen Phytophthora infestans, chloroplasts accumulate at the pathogen interface, associating with the specialized membrane that engulfs the pathogen haustorium. The chemical inhibition of actin polymerization reduces the accumulation of chloroplasts at pathogen haustoria, suggesting that this process is partially dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. However, chloroplast accumulation at haustoria does not necessarily rely on movement of the nucleus to this interface and is not affected by light conditions. Stromules are typically induced during infection, embracing haustoria and facilitating chloroplast interactions, to form dynamic organelle clusters. We found that infection-triggered stromule formation relies on BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-ASSOCIATED KINASE 1 (BAK1)-mediated surface immune signaling, whereas chloroplast repositioning towards haustoria does not. Consistent with the defense-related induction of stromules, effector-mediated suppression of BAK1-mediated immune signaling reduced stromule formation during infection. On the other hand, immune recognition of the same effector stimulated stromules, presumably via a different pathway. These findings implicate chloroplasts in a polarized response upon pathogen attack and point to more complex functions of these organelles in plant-pathogen interactions.

FATTY ACID DESATURASE5 Is Required to Induce Autoimmune Responses in Gigantic Chloroplast Mutants of Arabidopsis

Chloroplasts mediate genetically controlled cell death via chloroplast-to-nucleus retrograde signaling. To decipher the mechanism, we examined chloroplast-linked lesion-mimic mutants of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) deficient in plastid division, thereby developing gigantic chloroplasts (GCs). These GC mutants, including crumpled leaf (crl), constitutively express immune-related genes and show light-dependent localized cell death (LCD), mirroring typical autoimmune responses. Our reverse genetic approach excludes any potential role of immune/stress hormones in triggering LCD. Instead, transcriptome and in silico analyses suggest that reactive electrophile species (RES) generated via oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) or lipid peroxidation-driven signaling may induce LCD. Consistent with these results, the one of the suppressors of crl, dubbed spcrl4, contains a causative mutation in the nuclear gene encoding chloroplast-localized FATTY ACID DESATURASE5 (FAD5) that catalyzes the conversion of palmitic acid (16:0) to palmitoleic acid (16:1). The loss of FAD5 in the crl mutant might attenuate the levels of RES and/or lipid peroxidation due to the reduced levels of palmitic acid-driven PUFAs, which are prime targets of reactive oxygen species. The fact that fad5 also compromises the expression of immune-related genes and the development of LCD in other GC mutants substantiates the presence of an intrinsic retrograde signaling pathway, priming the autoimmune responses in a FAD5-dependent manner.

An effector protein of the wheat stripe rust fungus targets chloroplasts and suppresses chloroplast function

Chloroplasts are important for photosynthesis and for plant immunity against microbial pathogens. Here we identify a haustorium-specific protein (Pst_12806) from the wheat stripe rust fungus, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), that is translocated into chloroplasts and affects chloroplast function. Transient expression of Pst_12806 inhibits BAX-induced cell death in tobacco plants and reduces Pseudomonas-induced hypersensitive response in wheat. It suppresses plant basal immunity by reducing callose deposition and the expression of defense-related genes. Pst_12806 is upregulated during infection, and its knockdown (by host-induced gene silencing) reduces Pst growth and development, likely due to increased ROS accumulation. Pst_12806 interacts with the C-terminal Rieske domain of the wheat TaISP protein (a putative component of the cytochrome b6-f complex). Expression of Pst_12806 in plants reduces electron transport rate, photosynthesis, and production of chloroplast-derived ROS. Silencing TaISP by virus-induced gene silencing in a susceptible wheat cultivar reduces fungal growth and uredinium development, suggesting an increase in resistance against Pst infection.

Development and Evaluation of a Real-Time PCR Multiplex Assay for the Detection of Allergenic Peanut Using Chloroplast DNA Markers

Peanut is one of the most commonly consumed allergy-causing foods in the United States. Prevention of accidental consumption by allergic individuals is assisted by methods that effectively identify the presence of peanut in food, even at trace levels. This study presents a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that uses chloroplast markers ( matK, rpl16, and trnH-psbA) to specifically detect peanut in three types of foods: baked goods, chocolate, and tomato sauces. Food matrices were spiked with raw peanut at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10⁵ ppm. The assay was evaluated with respect to linear range and reaction efficiency. High reaction efficiencies were generally obtained across 6-7 orders of magnitude. Limits of detection were between 0.1 and 1 ppm, and reaction efficiencies were mostly within the preferred range of 100 ± 10%. Our results indicate that real-time PCR assays using chloroplast markers can be a valuable tool for peanut detection.

Cold chain and virus-free chloroplast-made booster vaccine to confer immunity against different poliovirus serotypes

The WHO recommends complete withdrawal of oral polio vaccine (OPV) type 2 by April 2016 globally and replacing with at least one dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). However, high-cost, limited supply of IPV, persistent circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses transmission and need for subsequent boosters remain unresolved. To meet this critical need, a novel strategy of a low-cost cold chain-free plant-made viral protein 1 (VP1) subunit oral booster vaccine after single IPV dose is reported. Codon optimization of the VP1 gene enhanced expression by 50-fold in chloroplasts. Oral boosting of VP1 expressed in plant cells with plant-derived adjuvants after single priming with IPV significantly increased VP1-IgG1 and VP1-IgA titres when compared to lower IgG1 or negligible IgA titres with IPV injections. IgA plays a pivotal role in polio eradication because of its transmission through contaminated water or sewer systems. Neutralizing antibody titres (~3.17-10.17 log2 titre) and seropositivity (70-90%) against all three poliovirus Sabin serotypes were observed with two doses of IPV and plant-cell oral boosters but single dose of IPV resulted in poor neutralization. Lyophilized plant cells expressing VP1 stored at ambient temperature maintained efficacy and preserved antigen folding/assembly indefinitely, thereby eliminating cold chain currently required for all vaccines. Replacement of OPV with this booster vaccine and the next steps in clinical translation of FDA-approved antigens and adjuvants are discussed.

A Plant-Derived Multi-HIV Antigen Induces Broad Immune Responses in Orally Immunized Mice

Multi-HIV, a multiepitopic protein derived from both gp120 and gp41 envelope proteins of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has been proposed as a vaccine prototype capable of inducing broad immune responses, as it carries various B and T cell epitopes from several HIV strains. In this study, the immunogenic properties of a Multi-HIV expressed in tobacco chloroplasts are evaluated in test mice. BALB/c mice orally immunized with tobacco-derived Multi-HIV have elicited antibody responses, including both the V3 loop of gp120 and the ELDKWA epitope of gp41. Based on splenocyte proliferation assays, stimulation with epitopes of the C4, V3 domain of gp120, and the ELDKWA domain of gp41 elicits positive cellular responses. Furthermore, specific interferon gamma production is observed in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells stimulated with HIV peptides. These results demonstrate that plant-derived Multi-HIV induces T helper-specific responses. Altogether, these findings illustrate the immunogenic potential of plant-derived Multi-HIV in an oral immunization scheme. The potential of this low-cost immunization approach and its implications on HIV/AIDS vaccine development are discussed.

Molecular crosstalk between PAMP-triggered immunity and photosynthesis

The innate immune system allows plants to respond to potential pathogens in an appropriate manner while minimizing damage and energy costs. Photosynthesis provides a sustained energy supply and, therefore, has to be integrated into the defense against pathogens. Although changes in photosynthetic activity during infection have been described, a detailed and conclusive characterization is lacking. Here, we addressed whether activation of early defense responses by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) triggers changes in photosynthesis. Using proteomics and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, we show that activation of defense by PAMPs leads to a rapid decrease in nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). Conversely, NPQ also influences several responses of PAMP-triggered immunity. In a mutant impaired in NPQ, apoplastic reactive oxygen species production is enhanced and defense gene expression is differentially affected. Although induction of the early defense markers WRKY22 and WRKY29 is enhanced, induction of the late markers PR1 and PR5 is completely abolished. We propose that regulation of NPQ is an intrinsic component of the plant's defense program.

A chloroplast-derived C4V3 polypeptide from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is orally immunogenic in mice

Although the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes one of the most important infectious diseases worldwide, attempts to develop an effective vaccine remain elusive. Designing recombinant proteins capable of eliciting significant and protective mammalian immune responses remain a priority. Moreover, large-scale production of proteins of interest at affordable cost remains a challenge for modern biotechnology. In this study, a synthetic gene encoding a C4V3 recombinant protein, known to induce systemic and mucosal immune responses in mammalian systems, has been introduced into tobacco chloroplasts to yield high levels of expression. Integration of the transgene into the tobacco plastome has been verified by Southern blot hybridization. The recombinant C4V3 protein is also detected in tobacco chloroplasts by confocal microscopy. Reactivity of the heterologous protein with both an anti-C4V3 rabbit serum as well as sera from HIV positive patients have been assayed using Western blots. When administered by the oral route in a four-weekly dose immunization scheme, the plant-derived C4V3 has elicited both systemic and mucosal antibody responses in BALB/c mice, as well as CD4+ T cell proliferation responses. These findings support the viability of using plant chloroplasts as biofactories for HIV candidate vaccines, and could serve as important vehicles for the development of a plant-based candidate vaccine against HIV.

Immunogenicity of chloroplast-derived HIV-1 p24 and a p24-Nef fusion protein following subcutaneous and oral administration in mice

High-level expression of foreign proteins in chloroplasts of transplastomic plants provides excellent opportunities for the development of oral vaccines against a range of debilitating or fatal diseases. The HIV-1 capsid protein p24 and a fusion of p24 with the negative regulatory protein Nef (p24-Nef) accumulate to ∼4% and ∼40% of the total soluble protein of leaves of transplastomic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants. This study has investigated the immunogenicity in mice of these two HIV-1 proteins, using cholera toxin B subunit as an adjuvant. Subcutaneous immunization with purified chloroplast-derived p24 elicited a strong antigen-specific serum IgG response, comparable to that produced by Escherichia coli-derived p24. Oral administration of a partially purified preparation of chloroplast-derived p24-Nef fusion protein, used as a booster after subcutaneous injection with either p24 or Nef, also elicited strong antigen-specific serum IgG responses. Both IgG1 and IgG2a subtypes, associated with cell-mediated Th1 and humoral Th2 responses, respectively, were found in sera after subcutaneous and oral administration. These results indicate that chloroplast-derived HIV-1 p24-Nef is a promising candidate as a component of a subunit vaccine delivered by oral boosting, after subcutaneous priming by injection of p24 and/or Nef.

Chloroplast-derived vaccines against human diseases: achievements, challenges and scopes

Infectious diseases represent a continuously growing menace that has severe impact on health of the people worldwide, particularly in the developing countries. Therefore, novel prevention and treatment strategies are urgently needed to reduce the rate of these diseases in humans. For this reason, different options can be considered for the production of affordable vaccines. Plants have been proved as an alternative expression system for various compounds of biological importance. Particularly, plastid genetic engineering can be potentially used as a tool for cost-effective vaccine production. Antigenic proteins from different viruses and bacteria have been expressed in plastids. Initial immunological studies of chloroplast-derived vaccines have yielded promising results in animal models. However, because of certain limitations, these vaccines face many challenges on production and application level. Adaptations to the novel approaches are needed, which comprise codon usage and choice of proven expression cassettes for the optimal yield of expressed proteins, use of inducible systems, marker gene removal, selection of specific antigens with high immunogenicity and development of tissue culture systems for edible crops to prove the concept of low-cost edible vaccines. As various aspects of plant-based vaccines have been discussed in recent reviews, here we will focus on certain aspects of chloroplast transformation related to vaccine production against human diseases.

All hands on deck—the role of chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, and the nucleus in driving plant innate immunity

Plant innate immunity is mediated by cell membrane and intracellular immune receptors that function in distinct and overlapping cell-signaling pathways to activate defense responses. It is becoming increasingly evident that immune receptors rely on components from multiple organelles for the generation of appropriate defense responses. This review analyzes the defense-related functions of the chloroplast, nucleus, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during plant innate immunity. It details the role of the chloroplasts in synthesizing defense-specific second messengers and discusses the retrograde signal transduction pathways that exist between the chloroplast and nucleus. Because the activities of immune modulators are regulated, in part, by their subcellular localization, the review places special emphasis on the dynamics and nuclear–cytoplasmic transport of immune receptors and regulators and highlights the importance of this process in generating orderly events during an innate immune response. The review also covers the recently discovered contributions of the ER quality-control pathways in ensuring the signaling competency of cell surface immune receptors or immune regulators.

Stable production of peptide antigens in transgenic tobacco chloroplasts by fusion to the p53 tetramerisation domain

The production of short peptides as single molecules in recombinant systems is often limited by the low stability of the foreign peptide. In the plant expression system this problem has been solved by translational fusions to recombinant proteins that are highly stable or are able to form complex structures. Previously, we demonstrated that the highly immunogenic 21 amino acid peptide 2L21, which is derived from the canine parvovirus (CPV) VP2 protein, did not accumulate in transgenic tobacco chloroplasts. In this report, we translationally fused the 2L21 peptide to the 42 amino acid tetramerisation domain (TD) from the human transcription factor p53. The chimaeric 2L21-TD protein was expressed in tobacco chloroplasts. Leaves accumulated high levels of the recombinant protein (up to 0.4 mg/g fresh weight of leaf material, equivalent to ~6% of total soluble protein; 2% considering only the 2L21 peptide). The 2L21-TD protein was able to form tetramers in the stroma of the chloroplast. Mice immunised intraperitoneally with partially purified leaf extracts containing the 2L21-TD protein developed specific antibodies with titres similar to those elicited by a previously reported fusion between 2L21 and the B subunit of the cholera toxin. Mouse sera were able to detect both the 2L21 synthetic peptide and the CPV VP2 protein, showing that the antigenicity of the 2L21 epitope was preserved in the chimaeric protein. These results demonstrate that the p53 TD can be used as a carrier molecule for the accumulation of short peptides (such as 2L21) in the chloroplast without altering the immunogenic properties of the peptide.

Plant-made vaccines for humans and animals

The concept of using plants to produce high-value pharmaceuticals such as vaccines is 20 years old this year and is only now on the brink of realisation as an established technology. The original reliance on transgenic plants has largely given way to transient expression; proofs of concept for human and animal vaccines and of efficacy for animal vaccines have been established; several plant-produced vaccines have been through Phase I clinical trials in humans and more are scheduled; regulatory requirements are more clear than ever, and more facilities exist for manufacture of clinic-grade materials. The original concept of cheap edible vaccines has given way to a realisation that formulated products are required, which may well be injectable. The technology has proven its worth as a means of cheap, easily scalable production of materials: it now needs to find its niche in competition with established technologies. The realised achievements in the field as well as promising new developments will be reviewed, such as rapid-response vaccines for emerging viruses with pandemic potential and bioterror agents.

Chloroplast-derived vaccine antigens confer dual immunity against cholera and malaria by oral or injectable delivery

Cholera and malaria are major diseases causing high mortality. The only licensed cholera vaccine is expensive; immunity is lost in children within 3 years and adults are not fully protected. No vaccine is yet available for malaria. Therefore, in this study, the cholera toxin-B subunit (CTB) of Vibrio cholerae fused to malarial vaccine antigens apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA1) and merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1) was expressed in lettuce and tobacco chloroplasts. Southern blot analysis confirmed homoplasmy and stable integration of transgenes. CTB-AMA1 and CTB-MSP1 fusion proteins accumulated up to 13.17% and 10.11% (total soluble protein, TSP) in tobacco and up to 7.3% and 6.1% (TSP) in lettuce, respectively. Nine groups of mice (n = 10/group) were immunized subcutaneously (SQV) or orally (ORV) with purified antigens or transplastomic tobacco leaves. Significant levels of antigen-specific antibody titres of immunized mice completely inhibited proliferation of the malarial parasite and cross-reacted with the native parasite proteins in immunoblots and immunofluorescence studies. Protection against cholera toxin challenge in both ORV (100%) and SQV (89%) mice correlated with CTB-specific titres of intestinal, serum IgA and IgG1 in ORV and only IgG1 in SQV mice, but no other immunoglobulin. Increasing numbers of interleukin-10(+) T cell but not Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells, suppression of interferon-gamma and absence of interleukin-17 were observed in protected mice, suggesting that immunity is conferred via the Tr1/Th2 immune response. Dual immunity against two major infectious diseases provided by chloroplast-derived vaccine antigens for long-term (>300 days, 50% of mouse life span) offers a realistic platform for low cost vaccines and insight into mucosal and systemic immunity.

Transgenic chloroplasts are efficient sites for high-yield production of the vaccinia virus envelope protein A27L in plant cellsdagger

Orthopoxviruses (OPVs) have recently received increasing attention because of their potential use in bioterrorism and the occurrence of zoonotic OPV outbreaks, highlighting the need for the development of safe and cost-effective vaccines against smallpox and related viruses. In this respect, the production of subunit protein-based vaccines in transgenic plants is an attractive approach. For this purpose, the A27L immunogenic protein of vaccinia virus was expressed in tobacco using stable transformation of the nuclear or plastid genome. The vaccinia virus protein was expressed in the stroma of transplastomic plants in soluble form and accumulated to about 18% of total soluble protein (equivalent to approximately 1.7 mg/g fresh weight). This level of A27L accumulation was 500-fold higher than that in nuclear transformed plants, and did not decline during leaf development. Transplastomic plants showed a partial reduction in growth and were chlorotic, but reached maturity and set fertile seeds. Analysis by immunofluorescence microscopy indicated altered chlorophyll distribution. Chloroplast-synthesized A27L formed oligomers, suggesting correct folding and quaternary structure, and was recognized by serum from a patient recently infected by a zoonotic OPV. Taken together, these results demonstrate that chloroplasts are an attractive production vehicle for the expression of OPV subunit vaccines.

Expression of a multi-epitope DPT fusion protein in transplastomic tobacco plants retains both antigenicity and immunogenicity of all three components of the functional oligomer

Expression of genes in plant chloroplasts provides an opportunity for enhanced production of target proteins. We report the introduction and expression of a fusion DPT protein containing immunoprotective exotoxin epitopes of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Bordetella pertussis, and Clostridium tetani in tobacco chloroplasts. Using biolistic-mediated transformation, a plant-optimized synthetic DPT gene was successfully transferred to tobacco plastomes. Putative transplastomic T0 plants were identified by PCR, and Southern blot analysis confirmed homoplasmy in T1 progeny. ELISA assays demonstrated that the DPT protein retained antigenicity of the three components of the fusion protein. The highest level of expression in these transplastomic plants reached 0.8% of total soluble protein. To assess whether the functional recombinant protein expressed in tobacco plants would induce specific antibodies in test animals, a mice feeding experiment was conducted. For mice orally immunized with freeze-dried transplastomic leaves, production of IgG and IgA antibodies specific to each toxin were detected in serum and mucosal tissues.

Assessment of organelle purity using antibodies and specific assays : the example of the chloroplast envelope

Proteomics provides a powerful tool to characterize the protein content of an organelle. However, identifications obtained through mass spectrometry and database searching only make sense if the organelle sample is not heavily cross-contaminated. Besides the proteomic analysis, which gives an overview of possible cross-contamination, biochemical methods can be used to assess sample purity. These methods use specific markers that are detected and measured. Here, we describe the use of immunological, enzymatic, lipid, and pigment markers that allow the purity of chloroplast envelope fractions to be estimated.

Immunogenic tagging of chloroplasts allows their isolation from defined cell types

Chloroplast structure varies depending on cell type. Currently it is difficult to obtain insight into how differences in chloroplast structure relate to function, as it is often not possible to isolate chloroplasts from specific cells. To address this, we have developed an approach that involves labelling chloroplasts from individual cell types by placing the foreign yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) on their outer surface, and then isolating those labelled chloroplasts immunogenically. Cell specificity is achieved through the use of enhancer trap lines. When whole leaves are homogenized, a mixture of labelled and unlabelled chloroplasts is released, but magnetic beads coated with antibodies to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) allow the labelled chloroplasts to be isolated. Chloroplasts from spongy mesophyll, vascular and epidermal cells of Arabidopsis thaliana were obtained in this way, and semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the abundance of various chloroplast transcripts differed between these three cell types. The approach is based on genetic logic, and so could be applied to the isolation of various organelles or subcellular compartments from transformable organisms other than A. thaliana.

Chloroplast-derived anthrax and other vaccine antigens: their immunogenic and immunoprotective properties

Transgenic plants offer many advantages, including low cost of production (by elimination of fermenters), storage and transportation, heat stability, absence of human pathogens, protection of antigens in the stomach through bioencapsulation (when delivered orally), elimination of the need for expensive purification and sterile injections and generation of both systemic and mucosal immunity. Recent studies have demonstrated that chloroplast-derived anthrax-protective antigen elicits effective immune responses, develops neutralizing antibodies, confers complete protection against anthrax lethal toxin challenge and produces 360 million doses of vaccine in one acre of transgenic plants. Chloroplast-derived vaccine antigens are efficacious against bacterial, fungal, viral and protozoan pathogens.

Organelle isolation by magnetic immunoabsorption

Currently, most organelle isolation procedures rely on physical parameters and centrifugation for separation. Here, we report the rapid and gentle isolation of a variety of organelles by immunolabeling whole cell lysates with organelle-specific antibodies and streptavidin magnetic particles followed by separation in a magnetic field. Using magnetic immunoabsorption, we have been able to specifically label mouse metaphase chromosomes and a variety of plant organelles, including: amyloplasts, choroplasts and nuclei from whole cell lysates of various plant tissues. We find that the distinct magnetic properties, surface characteristics and mean diameter-size ranges of different particle preparations significantly influence their specific utility for organelle isolations. By using an internal-field magnetic separation device, we have developed a method for quantitative recovery of labeled organelles in microarrays and tested a variety of antibodies to chloroplast outer envelope proteins for their ability to immune-isolate chloroplasts.

Free-flow electrophoresis for fractionation of Arabidopsis thaliana membranes

Highly purified tonoplast and plasma membrane vesicles were isolated from microsomes of Arabidopsis thaliana by preparative free-flow electrophoresis. The most electronegative fractions were identified as tonoplast using nitrate-inhibited Mg2+-ATPase as enzyme marker. The least electronegative fractions were identified as plasma membrane using glucan-synthase II, UDPG: sterol-glucosyl-transferase, and vanadate-inhibited Mg2+-ATPase as enzyme markers. Other membrane markers, latent inosine-5'-diphosphatase (Golgi), NADPH-cytochrome-c reductase (endoplasmic reticulum) and cytochrome-c oxidase (mitochondria) were recovered in the fractions intermediate between tonoplast and plasma membrane. Immunoblot analysis of membrane fractions by antibodies directed against tonoplast and plasma membrane proteins confirmed the nature and the purity of the isolated membranes. The cytoskeletal protein actin, which was also identified by immunoblotting, was found to be specifically attached to the plasma membrane vesicles. The structural and functional integrity of the isolated membranes from Arabidopsis thaliana is discussed in the light of results obtained for the location of receptors and enzymes, or for the determination of ligand binding activity.

Molecular characterisation of the 76 kDa iron-sulphur protein subunit of potato mitochondrial complex I

Genes encoding subunits of complex I (EC 1.6.5.3) of the mitochondrial respiratory chain vary in their locations between the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes in different organisms, whereas genes for a homologous multisubunit complex in chloroplasts have to date only been found on the plastid genome. In potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), the gene coding for the mitochondrial 76 kDa iron-sulphur protein is identified in the nuclear genome. The gene is transcribed into polyadenylated mRNA which is most abundant in flowers, and more frequent in tubers than in leaves. The amino acid sequence is well conserved relative to the nuclear-encoded 75 kDa and 78 kDa subunits of Bos taurus and Neurospora crassa, respectively, and to the Paracoccus denitrificans homologue, most prominently in the region presumed to carry the iron-sulphur clusters. Polyclonal antibodies directed against the 78 kDa complex I subunit of N. crassa recognise the 76 kDa polypeptide in potato mitochondrial complex I, and additionally a polypeptide of 75 kDa in solubilised stroma thylakoids from spinach chloroplasts. The 32 amino acid residues long presequence of the potato mitochondrial 76 kDa complex I subunit targets the precursor polypeptide into isolated potato mitochondria but not into isolated chloroplasts. These results suggest that chloroplast stroma thylakoids contain a protein similar in size and antigenicity to, but genetically distinct from, the mitochondrial subunit.

Heat-stress response of maize mitochondria

We have identified maize (Zea mays L. inbred B73) mitochondrial homologs of the Escherichia coli molecular chaperones DnaK (HSP70) and GroEL (cpn60) using two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblots. During heat stress (42 degrees C for 4 h), levels of HSP70 and cpn60 proteins did not change significantly. In contrast, levels of two 22-kD proteins increased dramatically (HSP22). Monoclonal antibodies were developed to maize HSP70, cpn60, and HSP22. The monoclonal antibodies were characterized with regard to their cross-reactivity to chloroplastic, cytosolic, and mitochondrial fractions, and to different plant species. Expression of mitochondrial HSP22 was evaluated with regard to induction temperature, time required for induction, and time required for degradation upon relief of stress. Maximal HSP22 expression occurred in etiolated seedling mitochondria after 5 h of a +13 degrees C heat stress. Upon relief of heat stress, the HSP22 proteins disappeared with a half-life of about 4 h and were undetectable after 21 h of recovery. Under continuous heat-stress conditions, the level of HSP22 remained high. A cDNA for maize mitochondrial HSP22 was cloned and extended to full length with sequences from an expressed sequence tag database. Sequence analysis indicated that HSP22 is a member of the plant small heat-shock protein superfamily.

Isolation and characterization of the mitochondrial ATP synthase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. cDNA sequence and deduced protein sequence of the alpha subunit

We have isolated the F0F1-ATP synthase complex from oligomycin-sensitive mitochondria of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. A pure and active ATP synthase was obtained by means of sonication, extraction with dodecyl maltoside and ion exchange and gel permeation chromatography in the presence of glycerol, DTT, ATP and PMSF [corrected]. The enzyme consists of 14 subunits as judged by SDS-PAGE. A cDNA clone encoding the ATP synthase alpha subunit has been sequenced. The deduced protein sequence contains a presequence of 45 amino acids which is not present in the mature protein. The mature protein is 58-70% identical to corresponding mitochondrial proteins from other organisms. In contrast to the ATP synthase beta subunit from C. reinhardtii (Franzen and Falk, Plant Mol Biol 19 (1992) 771-780), the protein does not have a C-terminal extension. However, the N-terminal domain of the mature protein is 15-18 residues longer than in ATP synthase alpha subunits from other organisms. Southern blot analysis indicates that the protein is encoded by a single-copy gene.

Interspecies cross-reactivity of a monoclonal antibody directed against wheat chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase

The primary structure of several chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (CFBPase) was deduced from DNA sequences, but only spinach, pea and rapeseed enzymes have been characterized structurally. We analyzed whether CFBPases from different phylogenetic origin contain a common epitope. To this end a DNA fragment of 1200 base pairs encoding 338 amino acid residues of wheat CFBPase (38 kDa) was cloned in the expression plasmid pGEX-1 in frame with the gene coding for glutathione S-transferase (GT) of Schistosoma japonicun (26.5 kDa). Upon transformation of Escherichia coli and induction with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside, centrifugation of the lysate partitioned 10% of the fusion protein in the supernatant fraction and the remaining 90% in the precipitate. The expected 65 kDa protein was purified from both the soluble and the particulate fraction by affinity chromatography on columns of glutathione-agarose. This fusion protein was successfully used to produce a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognized the CFBPase region of the fusion protein but not the GT moiety. Moreover, the monoclonal antibody immunoreacted not only with polypeptides (ca. 40 kDa) present in leaf crude extracts of other varieties of wheat (Triticum spelta, T. aestivum and T. durum), but also with homogeneous preparations of the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and rapeseed (Brassica napus) enzymes. Thus, the cross reaction of this monoclonal antibody with counterparts from different plant species indicates the persistency of a common epitope through biological evolution.

Development of a K(+)-channel probe and its use for identification of an intracellular plant membrane K+ channel

Polyclonal antibodies were generated against a 9-amino acid, synthetic peptide corresponding to the selectivity filter in the pore region of K(+)-channel proteins. The sequence of amino acids in the ion-conducting pore region of K+ channels is the only highly conserved region of members of this protein family. The objectives of the present work were (i) to determine whether the anti-channel pore peptide antibody was immunoreactive with known K(+)-channel proteins and (ii) to demonstrate the usefulness of the antibody by employing it to identify a newly discovered K(+)-channel protein. Anti-channel pore peptide was immunoreactive with various K(+)-channel subtypes native to a number of different species. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated affinity of the antibody for the drk1, maxi-K, and KAT1 K(+)-channel proteins. Studies also suggested that the anti-channel pore peptide antibody did not immunoreact with membrane proteins other than K+ channels. The anti-channel pore peptide antibody was used to establish the identity of a 62-kDa chloroplast inner envelope polypeptide as a putative component of a K(+)-channel protein. It was concluded that an antibody generated against the conserved pore region/selectivity filter of K+ channels has broad but selective affinity for this class of proteins. This K(+)-channel probe may be a useful tool for identification of K(+)-channel proteins in native membranes.

Isolation and partial characterization of calcium-activated chloride ion channels from thylakoids

The goal of the present work was to characterize the thylakoid anion channel. Toward this purpose a new, more sensitive, assay was developed to measure chloride channel activity of solubilized and partially purified thylakoid membrane proteins. In this assay potassium channel function was reduced or eliminated by the use of cesium as the coion of chloride. Under these conditions calcium but not magnesium stimulated anion uptake, suggesting the presence of a calcium-activated anion channel in isolated thylakoid membrane proteins. A polyclonal antibody raised against an anion channel isolated from epithelial membranes immunoreacted with three thylakoid membrane proteins; a doublet in the 62 to 66-kDa range and a single band in the 57 to 59-kDa region suggesting that the thylakoid anion channel may be homologous to the mammalian chloride channel. Furthermore, the cDNA which encodes the epithelial chloride channel hybridized on Northern blots prepared from corn total RNA with three mRNA bands.

The major low-molecular-weight heat shock protein in chloroplasts shows antigenic conservation among diverse higher plant species

Several plant species are known to synthesize low-molecular-weight nucleus-encoded heat shock proteins (HSPs) which localize to chloroplasts. DNA sequence analysis of chloroplast HSP cDNAs from pea (Pisum sativum) and soybean (Glycine max) has shown that the carboxyl-terminal halves of these proteins are homologous to low-molecular-weight HSPs from a wide range of eucaryotes (E. Vierling, R. T. Nagao, A. E. DeRocher, and L. M. Harris, EMBO J. 7:575-581, 1988). We used a pea cDNA to construct fusion proteins containing either the carboxyl-terminal heat shock domain or the amino-terminal domain of the chloroplast HSP. The fusion proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli and used to produce choloroplast HSP-specific polyclonal antibodies. The carboxyl-terminal antibodies recognized chloroplast HSP precursor proteins from pea and from three divergent plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, petunia (Petunia hybrida), and maize (Zea mays). The amino-terminal antibodies recognized effectively only the pea precursor. When intact plants of each species were subjected to a heat stress regime mimicking field growth conditions, significant levels of the mature forms of the chloroplast HSPs accumulated in pea, A. thaliana, and maize. The levels of accumulated HSPs remained unchanged for 12 h following the stress treatment. We conclude that the synthesis of chloroplast-localized HSPs is an important component of the stree response in all higher plants and that chloroplast HSPs from dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants have a conserved carboxyl-terminal domain.

The topology of a membrane protein: the orientation of the 32 kd Qb-binding chloroplast thylakoid membrane protein

Exposed portions of the 32 kd chloroplast membrane quinone-binding and triazine herbicide-binding protein of photosystem II have been mapped to the lumenal or to the outer (stromal) surface of the thylakoid by following reactions of antibodies generated against synthetic peptides corresponding to predicted hydrophilic amino acid sequences with normally oriented or everted membrane vesicles. These data have led to the construction of a model with five membrane-spanning domains. The model has been verified, in part, by immunoblots of fragments of the protein produced by trypsin treatment of thylakoids with peptide-specific antibodies. Some of the hydrophilic loops appear to be in close contact with proteins of the oxygen evolving complex of photosystem II inasmuch as their removal increases the antibody reaction.

A human auto-immune antibody specifically recognizing initiator methionine tRNA from yeast and higher eucaryotes

Analysis of sera from 168 patients with autoimmune disorders revealed that one patient with Sjôgren's syndrome produced antibodies against deproteinized initiator methionine tRNA in addition to those against La protein. This anti-tRNAimet recognizes also tRNAimet from yeast but not from Phaseolus vulgaris chloroplasts (bean) or E. coli. It appears therefore that the epitope could be located in the TF loop in which an A residue in position 60 and the AUCG sequence are the only common features in yeast and human tRNAimet.

Immunological similarities between specific chloroplast ribosomal proteins from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and ribosomal proteins from Escherichia coli

Polyclonal antibodies were elicited against seven of the 33 different proteins of the large subunit of the chloroplast ribosome from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Three of these proteins are synthesized in the chloroplast and four are made in the cytoplasm and imported. In western blots, six of the seven antisera are monospecific for their respective large subunit ribosomal proteins, and none of these antisera cross-reacted with any chloroplast small subunit proteins from C. reinhardtii. Antisera to the three chloroplast-synthesized ribosomal proteins cross-reacted with specific Escherichia coli large subunit proteins of comparable charge and molecular weight. Only one of the four antisera to the chloroplast ribosomal proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm cross-reacted with an E. coli large subunit protein. None of the antisera cross-reacted with any E. coli small subunit proteins. On the assumption of a procaryotic, endosymbiotic origin for the chloroplast, those chloroplast ribosomal proteins still synthesized within the organelle appear to have retained more antigenic sites in common with E. coli ribosomal proteins than have those which are now the products of cytoplasmic protein synthesis. Antisera to this cytoplasmically synthesized group of chloroplast ribosomal proteins did not recognize any antigenic sites among C. reinhardtii cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, suggesting that the genes for the cytoplasmically synthesized chloroplast ribosomal proteins either are not derived from the cytoplasmic ribosomal protein genes or have evolved to a point where no antigenic similarities remain.

Transbilayer organization of the chlorophyll-proteins of spinach thylakoids

To investigate the transverse bilayer organization of the chlorophyll-proteins of the three intrinsic chlorophyll-protein complexes, the effects of proteolytic enzymes, and an antibody against the light-harvesting complex were compared using right-side-out and inside-out thylakoid vesicles. The vesicles were isolated by aqueous polymer phase partitioning following the fragmentation of spinach thylakoids by passage through a Yeda press. Both vesicle types were agglutinated by an antiserum specific for the light-harvesting complex, although proteolytic degradation of the complex occurred only in right-side-out vesicles. In addition, there are different antigenic sites for the light-harvesting complex on the inner and outer thylakoid surfaces. Polypeptides of the chlorophyll-alpha-protein complex of photosystem II were degraded by proteases at both membrane surfaces. We concluded that both these chlorophyll-protein complexes are membrane spanning and transversely asymmetric, but that the light-harvesting complex polypeptides accessible at the inner thylakoid surface are more resistant to proteolytic attack. In contrast, the main chlorophyll-containing polypeptide (Mr = 64 500) of photosystem I complex was resistant to proteolytic attack at both the outer and inner thylakoid surfaces.

Binding of antibodies onto the thylakoid membrane. V. Distribution of proteins and lipids in the thylakoid membrane

Binding of antibodies to proteins and lipids onto fragments of the thylakoid membrane was stu­died and compared with the binding of antibodies by stroma-freed chloroplasts. The membrane fragments were prepared from stroma-free chloroplasts by ultrasonication and fractional centrifugation. The fragments have an average diameter of 200 A. Their thickness corresponds to that of the thylakoid membrane. The membrane fragments adsorb out of an antiserum to lipids approximately the same amount of antibodies as out of an antiserum to proteins. In comparison to this, stroma-free chloroplasts bind 4 times more antibodies to proteins than to lipids. From this it follows that the major part of the lipids is located in the membrane surface which is directed towards the inside or is located inside the membrane. As the chemical analysis has shown these results are not caused by an altered chemical composition of the membrane fragments.

Despite the fact that membrane proteins bind considerably less protein antibodies than stroma-free chloroplasts, the antibody binding in membrane fragment might be considerably increased for certain proteins such as a polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight 24000 and cytochrome f. Antibodies to the major components of the lipid mixture, such as to monogalactosyl diglyceride, trigalactosyl diglyceride, sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride and phosphatidyl glycerol are 3 to 4 times more bound by membrane fragments than by stroma-free chloroplasts. From these results it is concluded that the thylakoid membrane surface directed towards the inside is preponderently composed of lipids whereas the surface directed towards the outside consists only by 10 to 15% of lipids.

E. coli ribosomal proteins are cross reactive with antibody prepared against Chlamydomonas reinhardi chloroplast ribosomal subunit

Antisera prepared against purified Chlamydomonas reinhardi small chloroplast ribosomal subunit, judged homogenous by sucrose gradient velocity sedimentation and RNA gel electrophoresis was immunologically cross reactive with E. coli ribosomal proteins. The results of three different experimental approaches, namely Ouchterlony double diffusion, sucrose gradient velocity sedimentation and two dimensional crossed immunoelectrophoresis indicate that both E. coli ribosomal subunits and the chloroplast large ribosomal subunit contain proteins which show antigenic similarity to the chloroplast small ribosomal subunit proteins. However, cytoplasmic ribosomal subunits did not contain proteins which were cross reactive with immune antisera.

Reactions of antibodies against ferredoxin, ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and plastocyanin with spinach chloroplasts

Purified antisera against ferredoxin, ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and plastocyanin agglutinated osmotically shocked and washed spinach chloroplasts, prepared according to standard procedures. The monomeric antibody (immunoglobulin G fraction) of the reductase antiserum agglutinated chloroplasts specifically and directly, indicating that protruding structures (for example, the coupling factor) do not act as steric hindrances as has been suggested. With ferredoxin antiserum, the presence of a pentameric antibody (immunoglobulin M fraction) was obligatory to observe a positive agglutination reaction. Immunoglobulin G only inhibited ferredoxin-dependent reactions, like NADP+-photoreduction, but did not cause agglutination. Ferredoxin seems to be located in depressions of the membrane, possibly caused by a partial release of this protein in shocked chloroplasts. Similar results were obtained with purified immunoglobulins from a plastocyanin antiserum. Again the immunoglobulin G fraction inhibited electron transport reactions catalyzed by plastocyanin, whereas immunoglobulin M showed a positive agglutination, but had no influence on electron transport. It is concluded that ferredoxin, ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase and plastocyanin are peripheral electron transport components, located at the outer thylakoid membrane.

Analysis of the thylakoid outer surface. Coupling factor is limited to unstacked membrane regions

The structure of the spinach thylakoid outer surface has been examined by deepetching, a technique which exposes the true surfaces of biological membranes by sublimination of frozen dilute buffer. The membrane surface is covered with large (150 A average diameter) and small (90 A average diameter) particles. Approximately 30% of the large particles can be removed under conditions reported to selectively remove carboxydismutase from the membrane surface. The remaining large particles can be removed only under conditions which cause a loss of coupling factor activity. When purified coupling factor is readded to membranes from which all coupling factor activity has been removed, large particles reappear, indicating that they represent coupling factor molecules. Since the number of particles and the amount of ATPase activity in the reconstituted and control membranes were the same, coupling factor molecules may be attached to specific binding sites. Analysis of antibody labeling experiments, enzyme assays, and experiments involving the unstacking and restacking of thylakoid membranes indicate that coupling factor is excluded from regions of membrane stacking (grana) and is present only in unstacked membrane regions. The exclusion of coupling factor from grana, which are known to be centers of intense photosynthetic activity, strongly suggests that the mechanism coupling electron transport to photophosphorylation is indirect. In addition to the large and small particles, in some cases regularly spaced ridges are visible on the outer surface after unstacking. Coupling factor binding sites seem to be excluded from regions where these structures occur.

Binding of antibodies onto the thylakoid membrane. I. Maximal antibody binding and adsorption of antibodies to lipids

The binding of antibodies onto the lamellar system of Antirrhinum majus was determined in dependence on the serum addition. The unspecific adsorption of serum proteins was taken into account or eliminated. The binding of antibodies as a function of the amount of serum added is seem from a saturation curve. From an antiserum obtained by hyperimmunization with stroma-freed chloroplasts, the chloroplasts bind maximally 1 gram antibodies per gram stroma-freed chloroplasts. From an antiserum to the proteins of the thylakoid membrane prepared in the same way an equal amount of antibodies is adsorbed. It is assumed that with this amount the surfaces of the lamellar system accessible to antibodies is completely covered by antibodies. For an antiserum to monogalactosyl diglyceride a maximal antibody binding of 0.16 g, for sulphoquinovosyl diglyceride 0.12 g and for phosphatidyl glycerol 0.13 of antibodies per gram stroma-freed chloroplasts are obtained. The significance of these results with respect to the molecular surface structure of the thylakoid membrane is discussed.

[The structure of biological membranes: localization of sulfoquinovosyldiglyceride in various membranes of chloroplasts using specific antibodies]

The sulfoquinovosyl pole of at least a part of the sulfolipid molecule, in the envelope and the thylakoids of chloroplasts, is accessible to the specific antibody. Agglutination of the chloroplasts is due to the sulfolipid which is located on the envelope and uniformly distributed on the external surface. Reactivity of the sulfolipid located on the membrane of thylakoids, when exposed to the corresponding antibody, appears to be different from the sulfolipid reactivity of the envelope: the antibody fails to agglutinate the thylakoids. Thylakoids altered by osmotic chock are sensitized to agglutination. Immunoenzymatic studies followed by electron microscopy revealed the presence of the sulfolipid on the membrane of the various thylakoids. The local reactions did not appear to be continous.

Mobility of chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF1) at the thylakoid surface as revealed by freeze-etching after antibody labelling

Freeze-Etching Freeze-fracturing and 60 sec deep-etching of isolated chloroplast thylakoid systems exposed large areas of the outer surface (matrix side) of the thylakoids. If the thylakoid systems were first treated with antisera against chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF1), the 14 nm particles at the outer surface appeared aggregated. Between clusters these particles were absent. Since there is no change in the number of particles/area after treatment with antibodies, it is concluded that the 14 nm particles are mobile within the surface of the thylakoid. The antisera contained only anti­bodies against CF1 ; therefore the 14 nm particles at the outer surface are identified to be CF1 . The implication of a mobile ATP-synthetase (CF1) for the mechanisms of photophosphorylation is discussed.

Photochemically active chlorophyll-containing proteins from chloroplasts and their localization in the thylakoid membrane

After solubilization of stroma-freed chloroplasts with deoxycholate, the lipids and the detergent used are separated from the proteins by gel filtration. In this way not denatured pigment-con-taining protein preparations were obtained. The particles in fraction 1 exhibited a molecular weight of 600 000 and contained an average of 25 chlorophyll molecules. The circular dichroism spectrum showed exciton splitting of the red band. The particles in fraction 2 contained 1 chlorophyll molecule and exhibited a molecular weight of 110 000. The particles in fraction 3 also contained only 1 chlorophyll molecule and had a molecular weight of between 80 000 and 100 000. Pure preparations of fraction 1 only carried out the methylviologen Mehler reaction with the dichlorophenol indophenol/ascorbate couple as electron donor. Fraction 3 only reduced ferricyanide with diphenylcarbazide as an electron donor in the light. Fraction 2 exhibited both the photosystem I reaction and the photosystem II reaction. An antiserum to extracted fraction 1 does not inhibit electron transport in the intact lamellar system. The photoreduction of methylviologen is only inhibited after disruption of the thylakoids. The antiserum to fraction 2 inhibits the photoreduction of methylviologen in the intact lamellar system. Consequently, one inhibition site for this photosystem I reaction must be located on the inner and another on the outer surface of the thylakoid membrane. In addition, antibodies to fraction 1 are specifically adsorbed onto the lamellar system without any effect on electron transport and without a concomitant agglutination. Antibodies to fraction 3 partially inhibit the photoreduction of ferricyanide with diphenylcarbazide as an electron donor in the intact lamellar system. Hence, the inhibition site of this system II reaction is located on the outer surface of the thylakoids. We have reason to believe that the inhibition sites not reacting are located in the partitions, which are not accessible to antibodies.

Antibodies to chlorophyll and their reactions with chloroplast preparations

Antibodies to chlorophyll are specifically adsorbed onto the membrane surface of thylakoids. The antibodies inhibit photosynthetic electron flow from water to NADP⊕. This inhibition is presumably caused by adsorption of the antibodies onto the centre chlorophyll of light reaction II. Fragments of the thylakoid membrane, obtained by ultrasonication and subsequent fractioning centrifugation, exhibit only photosystem-I activity. Conversely, the specific adsorption of antibodies to sensitizer chlorophyll has no inhibitory effect on electron transport. The ferricyanide Hill reaction of chloroplast preparations is inhibited by chlorophyll antibodies. From these observations it is concluded that the centre chlorophyll of light reaction II and at least part of the sensitizer chlorophyll is located on the surface of the thylakoids. As agglutination is sterically inhibited by the membrane protein, it is assumed that the chlorophyll is located in gaps or pores of the protein layer.

Two fractions of the lamellar system exhibit photosystem I activity of different characteristic electron donor specificity. These fractions can be further distinguished in terms of their circular dichroism and protein composition.

Immunological evidence for the presence of latent Ca2 dependent ATPase and carboxydismutase on the thylakoid surface

Antibodies were prepared against carboxydismutase and latent Ca2⊕ dependent ATPase (coupling factor) purified from Nicotiana tabacum. The antibodies against carboxydismutase inhibit the enzymatic activity of the purified protein, while those against coupling factor inhibit the Ca2® dependent ATPase activity of the protein as well as the photophosphorylation of the chloroplasts. The antisera against these two proteins agglutinate the isolated lamellar systems of chloroplasts. The lamellar systems after repeated washes with ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid loose their capacity to agglutinate with the antibodies. So treated lamellar systems regain their capacity to agglutinate when preincubated with purified coupling factor and carboxydismutase. It is concluded that coupling factor and carboxydismutase molecules are present on the outer surface of the thylakoids. The antisera against the proteins isolated from Nicotiana show cross reactions with preparations of Antirrhinum. Coupling factor and carboxydismutase are non-uniformly distributed on the surface of thylakoids. Electron microscopy shows no evidence that coupling factor represent knobs attached to the surface of the thylakoids.