Protein transport in intact, purified pea etioplasts

We have developed a method to isolate intact, purified pea etioplasts. These etioplasts were capable of recognizing, transporting, and processing the precursor form of the small subunit of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, a protein which is not detectable at this developmental stage. Transport of proteins was completely dependent on ATP and could not be substituted for or stimulated by light. The transported precursor protein was processed to its proper molecular weight. The mature form of the small subunit was assembled with the large subunit of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase already present at this stage to form an oligomer. Protein transport was completely abolished using the phosphatase inhibitor sodium fluoride. This is the first time protein transport has been demonstrated in isolated, purified etioplasts.