The import of nucleus-encoded preproteins into plastids requires the coordinated activities of membrane protein complexes that facilitate the translocation of polypeptides across the envelope double membrane. Tic20 was identified previously as a component of the import machinery of the inner envelope membrane by covalent cross-linking studies with trapped preprotein import intermediates. To inv...

The leaf mosaic of Abutilon sellovianum is caused by abutilon mosaic virus (AbMV), a geminivirus that has a circular single-stranded DNA genome. DNA was isolated from intact plastids of AbMV-infected and noninfected plants. Plastids from infected plants were shown to contain the single-stranded AbMV DNA by Southern-blot hybridization experiments that used a probe made from highly purified AbMV ...

Algae include a diverse array of photosynthetic eukaryotes excluding land plants. Explaining the origin of algal plastids continues to be a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Current knowledge suggests that plastid primary endosymbiosis, in which a single-celled protist engulfs and "enslaves" a cyanobacterium, likely occurred once and resulted in the primordial alga. This eukaryote then g...

Plastids send "retrograde" signals to the nucleus to deliver information regarding their physiological status. One open question concerning this signal transfer is how the signal bridges the cytoplasm. Based on individual reports of plastid derived tubular membrane extensions connecting to nuclei, these so-called stromules have been suggested to function as communication routes between plastids...

Carotenoids are secondary metabolites synthesized in plastids that function photosynthesis, photoprotection, growth and development of plants. contribute to the yellowish, orange pinkish-red hues leaves, flowers fruits, as well various aromas. They provide substrates for biosynthesis phytohormones cleavable into smaller apocarotenoids retrograde signals and/or mediate intracellular communicatio...

The work is devoted to the analysis of influence acoustic losses on efficiency inducing resonant waves in single-crystal gallium arsenide plastids using infrared light pulses. It established that amplitude excited mechanical vibrations depends magnitude and position internal friction crystal temperature scale due acousto-electronic relaxation. Recommendations choice element alloying admixture a...