While the structures of photosynthetic complexes have been solved to atomic resolution, we still have limited knowledge of the pathways of assembly of the apoproteins with their cofactors, a prerequisite for the stable assembly of multimeric holoproteins. Similarly, the recycling/repair pathways of assembled proteins remain largely unknown. The aim of this theme is to study protein targeting and import into chloroplasts, assembly of cofactors and proteins in functional multimeric complexes, protein degradation and recycling. We combine genetics, biochemistry and biophysics to analyze these issues.
Specific topics covered by our research include:
1) Biogenesis and assembly of photosynthetic membrane complexes
2) Degradation of chloroplast proteins and proteolysis regulations
Selected references :
- Malnoë A, Wang F, Girard-Bascou J, Wollman FA, de Vitry C (2014) Thylakoid FtsH protease contributes to photosystem II and cytochrome b6f remodelling in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under stress conditions. Plant Cell, 26: 373-90.
- Wang F, Qi Y, Malnoë A, Choquet Y, Wollman F-A, de Vitry C (2017) The high light response and redox control of thylakoid FtsH protease in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Molecular Plant, 10: 99-114.
- Bujaldon S, Kodama N, Rappaport F, Subramanyam R, de Vitry C, Takahashi Y, Wollman F-A (2017) Functional accumulation of antenna proteins in chlorophyll b-less mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Molecular Plant, 10: 115-30