Functional Analysis of BiP as a Plant Molecular Chaperone

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9317303 Boston The proposal concerns the maize storage proteins (zeins), that are stored within ER membranes as spherical aggregates called protein bodies. A molecular chaperon has been isolated and characterized that accumulates during kernel development and may play a critical role in the ordered deposition of the proteins within protein bodies. This molecular chaperon is BiP, and is a 75 kD polypeptide that is found within the ER and the protein bodies. Although the exact role of this protein is not known, BiP homologues are found in both prokayotes and eukaryotes. The goals of the proposal are to characterize the interactions between BiP and target proteins during translocation to the ER of normal and mutant endosperm; to investigate the molecular basis of altered protein body morphology in developing endosperm of fl2,De-B30 and Mc mutants; and to determine if post translational modifications are correlated with BiP function in plants. %%% The studies outlined in this proposal will increase our knowledge of the processes regulating transport and accumulation of the important storage reserves. They are also essential for devising new strategies for introducing new gene products to improve plant growth and quality. ***