Function of an intermembrane space chaperone complex in protein import into chloroplasts

• Applicant: Dr. Joanna Tripp
• Subject Area: Plant Physiology
• Term: from 2008 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 80770066

Protein import into chloroplasts occurs via a transport system hosted in the outer and inner envelope membrane. A translocation complex in the intermembrane space that consists of Toc64, a yet unidentified intermembrane space localized isoform of Hsp70 (imsHsp70), the DnaJ homolog Toc12 and Tic22 is thought to keep the incoming precursor in an unfolded state and to initiate the contact with the Tic translocon. I will attempt to identify imsHsp70 in the intermembrane space and use biochemical, cell biological and genetic methods to characterize the molecular function and the dynamic composition of the translocation complex in the intermembrane space.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants