Structural insights and membrane binding properties of MGD1, the major galactolipid synthase in plants

22Citations
Citations of this article
53Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) are the major lipid components of photosynthetic membranes, and hence the most abundant lipids in the biosphere. They are essential for assembly and function of the photosynthetic apparatus. In Arabidopsis, the first step of galactolipid synthesis is catalyzed by MGDG synthase 1 (MGD1), which transfers a galactosyl residue from UDP-galactose to diacylglycerol (DAG). MGD1 is a monotopic protein that is embedded in the inner envelope membrane of chloroplasts. Once produced, MGDG is transferred to the outer envelope membrane, where DGDG synthesis occurs, and to thylakoids. Here we present two crystal structures of MGD1: One unliganded and one complexed with UDP. MGD1 has a long and flexible region (approximately 50 amino acids) that is required for DAG binding. The structures reveal critical features of the MGD1 catalytic mechanism and its membrane binding mode, tested on biomimetic Langmuir monolayers, giving insights into chloroplast membrane biogenesis. The structural plasticity of MGD1, ensuring very rapid capture and utilization of DAG, and its interaction with anionic lipids, possibly driving the construction of lipoproteic clusters, are consistent with the role of this enzyme, not only in expansion of the inner envelope membrane, but also in supplying MGDG to the outer envelope and nascent thylakoid membranes.

References Powered by Scopus

Coot: Model-building tools for molecular graphics

26128Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

PHENIX: A comprehensive Python-based system for macromolecular structure solution

19173Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Phaser crystallographic software

16594Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Role of membrane glycerolipids in photosynthesis, thylakoid biogenesis and chloroplast development

161Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Low-temperature tolerance in land plants: Are transcript and membrane responses conserved?

78Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

The conformational plasticity of glycosyltransferases

73Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Rocha, J., Sarkis, J., Thomas, A., Pitou, L., Radzimanowski, J., Audry, M., … Breton, C. (2016). Structural insights and membrane binding properties of MGD1, the major galactolipid synthase in plants. Plant Journal, 85(5), 622–633. https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.13129

Readers over time

‘16‘17‘18‘19‘20‘21‘22‘23‘240481216

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 20

56%

Researcher 9

25%

Professor / Associate Prof. 4

11%

Lecturer / Post doc 3

8%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 17

47%

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Bi... 15

42%

Chemistry 2

6%

Psychology 2

6%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free
0