Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Porphyrin-Modified Beads for Use as Compensation Controls in Flow Cytometry
Published on: March 24, 2023
ABA, porphyrins and plant TSPO-related protein
Damien Guillaumot1, Stéphanie Guillon, Pierre Morsomme
1Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Molecular Physiology Group (FYMO), Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Abstract:
We have shown that, unexpectedly, AtTSPO (Arabidopsis thaliana TSPO-related protein) is an endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi-localized membrane protein in plant cells.(1) This localization contrasts with that of mammalian 18-kDa translocator protein (at least for the mostly studied isoform, 18-kDa TSPO), a mitochondrial outer membrane protein (reviewed in ref. 2). Whereas the potential functions of 18-kDa TSPO are well documented, involved mainly in mitochondrial physiology,(2) and its interest as drugs target is been explored,(3) the roles of TSPO-related proteins in plant growth and development are yet to be specified. AtTSPO is expressed in dry seeds and can be induced in vegetative tissues by osmotic and salt stress or abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Moreover, it was shown that the ABA-dependent induction is transient, and that boosting tetrapyrroles biosynthesis through 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) feeding enhanced downregulation of AtTSPO, suggesting an inherent post-translational regulation mechanism also involving ABA and likely porphyrins. We present additional evidence that ABA can help stabilize constitutively expressed AtTSPO and that ALA feeding to knockout mutant seeds, induces substantial germination delay. Here we discuss the possible link between ABA and tetrapyrroles in AtTSPO expression and post-translational regulation.
More Related Videos
10:07Identification of Post-translational Modifications of Plant Protein Complexes
Published on: February 22, 2014
10:05Stimulation of Stem Cell Niches and Tissue Regeneration in Mouse Skin by Switchable Protoporphyrin IX-Dependent Photogeneration of Reactive Oxygen Species In Situ
Published on: May 8, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Protein Transport to the Thylakoids
Riboswitches
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Protein Transport to the Stroma
Protein complexes called the translocon of the outer chloroplast membrane or TOC complex, and the translocon of the inner chloroplast membrane or TIC complex mediate the...
Protein Transport to the Outer Chloroplast Membrane
Two models describe the mechanism of precursor recognition and entry across the outer membrane through the TOC complex. Model 1 suggests the newly synthesized precursor binds to the TOC receptor 159 and forms a complex.
Protein Transport to the Inner Chloroplast Membrane
Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light