A Toc75-like protein import channel is abundant in chloroplasts
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Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Studying Protein Import into Chloroplasts Using Protoplasts
Published on: December 10, 2018
Kerstin Eckart1, Lutz Eichacker, Karen Sohrt
1Department für Biologie I, Menzinger Strasse 67, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, D-80638 München, Germany.
Abstract:
Chloroplasts import post-translationally most of their constituent polypeptides via two distinct translocon units located in the outer and inner envelope. The protein import channel of the translocon of the outer envelope of chloroplasts, Toc75, is the most abundant protein in that membrane. We identify a novel Toc75 homologous protein, atToc75-V, a prominent protein that is clearly localized in the chloroplastic outer envelope. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Toc75-V is more closely related to its prokaryotic ancestors than to Toc75 from plants. The presence of a second translocation channel suggests that alternative, previously unrecognized import routes into chloroplasts might exist.
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