Integration of a cyanobacterial protein involved in nitrate reduction (narB) into isolated Synechococcus but not into pea thylakoid membranes.

Abstract

Chimeric genes comprised of Rubisco small subunit transit peptide fused in frame with full-length and truncated sequences of a nitrate reductase (narB) structural gene of Synechococcus were constructed. Fusion proteins were synthesized in a rabbit reticulocyte system. In thylakoido integration of synthetic proteins resulted in the association of the full-length narB-coded protein to the Synechococcus photosynthetic membranes. The membrane-associated protein was sensitive to trypsin treatment but could not be removed by washing in the presence of NaBr. Trypsin pretreatment of thylakoids abolished the capability for association. The association of the narB-coded protein with thylakoids might r..