摘要
Calcium is important for chloroplast, not only in its photosynthetic but also nonphotosynthetic functions. Mul- tiple Ca2＋/H＋ transporters and channels have been described and studied in the plasma membrane and organ- elle membranes of plant cells; however, the molecular identity and physiological roles of chloroplast Ca2＋/H＋ antiporters have remained unknown. Here we report the identification and characterization of a member of the UPFO016 family, CCHA1 （a chloroplast-localized potential Ca2＋/H＋ antiporter）, in Arabidopsis thaliana. We observed that the ccha I mutant plants developed pale green leaves and showed severely stunted growth along with impaired photosystem II （PSII） function. CCHA1 localizes to the chloroplasts, and the levels of the PSII core subunits and the oxygen-evolving complex were significantly decreased in the ccha I mutants compared with the wild type. In high Ca2＋ concentrations, Arabidopsis CCHA1 partially rescued the growth defect of yeast gdtl3 null mutant, which is defective in a Ca2＋/H＋ antiporter. The cchal mutant plants also showed significant sensitivity to high concentrations of CaCI2 and MnCI2, as well as variation in pH. Taken these results together, we propose that CCHA 1 might encode a putative chloroplast-localized Ca2＋/H＋ antiporter with critical functions in the regulation of PSII and in chloroplast Ca2＋ and pH homeostasis in Arabidopsis.
Calcium is important for chloroplast, not only in its photosynthetic but also nonphotosynthetic functions. Mul- tiple Ca2＋/H＋ transporters and channels have been described and studied in the plasma membrane and organ- elle membranes of plant cells; however, the molecular identity and physiological roles of chloroplast Ca2＋/H＋ antiporters have remained unknown. Here we report the identification and characterization of a member of the UPFO016 family, CCHA1 （a chloroplast-localized potential Ca2＋/H＋ antiporter）, in Arabidopsis thaliana. We observed that the ccha I mutant plants developed pale green leaves and showed severely stunted growth along with impaired photosystem II （PSII） function. CCHA1 localizes to the chloroplasts, and the levels of the PSII core subunits and the oxygen-evolving complex were significantly decreased in the ccha I mutants compared with the wild type. In high Ca2＋ concentrations, Arabidopsis CCHA1 partially rescued the growth defect of yeast gdtl3 null mutant, which is defective in a Ca2＋/H＋ antiporter. The cchal mutant plants also showed significant sensitivity to high concentrations of CaCI2 and MnCI2, as well as variation in pH. Taken these results together, we propose that CCHA 1 might encode a putative chloroplast-localized Ca2＋/H＋ antiporter with critical functions in the regulation of PSII and in chloroplast Ca2＋ and pH homeostasis in Arabidopsis.
