<i>Emb15</i> encodes a plastid ribosomal assembly factor essential for embryogenesis in maize

Ribosome assembly factors guide the complex process by which ribosomal proteins and RNAs form a functional ribosome. However, of plant plastid ribosomes is poorly understood. In present study, we discovered maize (Zea mays) ribosome factor based on our characterization embryo defective 15 (emb15) mutant. Loss function Emb15 retards development at an early stage, but does not substantially affect endosperm, causes albino phenotype in other genetic backgrounds. EMB15 localizes to plastids possesses maturation M (RimM) domain N-terminus predicted UDP-GlcNAc pyrophosphorylase C-terminus. The RimM originated bacteria fungi; these two domains came together ancestor land plants during evolution. complemented growth defect Escherichia coli strain with deletion rescued emb15 homozygous mutants. mediates interaction between protein PRPS19. Plastid 16S rRNA also significantly impaired emb15. These observations suggest that functions seed as factor, C-terminal important under normal conditions.