类囊体是蓝藻和叶绿体进行有氧光合作用的重要场所，众多光合蛋白复合体均分布于类囊体膜上。研究发现质体囊泡诱导生成蛋白（VIPP1）与类囊体生物建成和蛋白运输密切相关。VIPP1表达下调后，叶绿体囊泡运输消失，有氧光合作用效率显著下降，类囊体结构严重缺陷。VIPP1与HSP70B分子伴侣系统形成复合体，并影响VIPP1高级蛋白结构。而HSP70与光合蛋白的再生、折叠、运输等过程有关。因此我们推测VIPP1参与光合蛋白的运输过程，进而影响类囊体的生物建成。本项目体外分析VIPP1二级结构、高级结构和VIPP1-HSP70复合体的结构特征和生化特性。体内分析VIPP1作用底物和相互作用蛋白网络，深入研究VIPP1参与类囊体蛋白运输和光系统建成的分子机制。本项目为认识VIPP1蛋白生物学功能、类囊体生物建成分子机制和VIPP1应用转化提供实验依据。

Thylakoids are characteristic structures of cyanobacteria and chloroplasts. As an important organ for oxygenic photosynthesis, the major complexes of oxygenic photosynthesis are embedded in these membranes. Vesicle-Inducing Protein in Plastids 1 (VIPP1) was described to be involved in thylakoid membrane formation and protein transport system. After down regulate the expression of VIPP1, mutants show a comparable loss of thylakoid membrane content and structure, as well as reduced photosynthetic activity, and function defect in lipid transfer. VIPP1 may interact with HSP70B molecular chaperones system. They form VIPP1-HSP70 complex which controls senior structure of VIPP1. Adding to HSP70 may involve in the process of folding and transport of photosynthetic protein. So it is suggested that VIPP1 may play important roles in transport of photosynthetic protein. And then it affects thylakoid membrane formation. In this project, we aim to investigate structural and biochemical characteristics of VIPP1 and VIPP1-HSP70 complex in vitro. In vivo, genetics and cytology means will be used to study the interacting protein network of VIPP1 and the molecular mechanisms of VIPP1 involving in protein transport and photosystem formation in thylakoid. This project will give an insight to the mechanism of VIPP1 protein biological functions, molecular mechanisms of thylakoid formation and agricultural production applications.