IS-2191-93CR

Publications

Achievements

Role of the Hsp70 Homologue from Chloroplasts in the Assembly of the Photosynthetic Apparatus	Budget	Duration
	$275,000	3 years

	Nechushtai, R.	Hebrew U
	Chitnis, P.R.	Kansas St. U

Final Report Abstract
The major goal of the proposed research was to study the role of a 70-kDa heat shock cognate protein from chloroplasts (ct-HSP70) in the assembly of chlorophyll-protein complexes. The latters are mostly important in allowing photosynthesis to occur. Photosynthesis is at the heart of crop productivity and the knowledge of the biogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus is essential to manipulate the efficiency of photosynthesis. The characterization of the function of the ct-HSP70 was planned to be studied in vitro by assaying its capability to physically interact with the thylakoid proteins and to assist their assembly into thylakoid membranes. We planned to identify regions in the light-harvesting complex protein (LHCP) that interact with the ct-HSP70 and characterize the interaction between them. We also intended to isolate cDNA clones encoding ct-HSP70, sequence them, express one of them in E. coli and use the purified protein for functional assays. The research in this BARD proposal aimed at providing insights and aid in understanding the mechanism by which plants may respond to the heat stress. Since plants often experience increased temperatures.