光合膜膜脂双半乳糖二酰基甘油的研究进展

本文综述了光合膜膜脂双半乳糖二酰基甘油(DGDG)的生物合成和生理功能的研究进展。DGDG是光合膜中惟一的双半乳糖脂类,在光合膜的不同膜区均有分布。在高等植物叶绿体中,存在着两条不同的DGDG生物合成途径,即原核合成途径和真核合成途径。原核途径只限于在质体内进行,而真核途径还包括一些在内质网内发生的反应。DGDG在维持光系统Ⅱ捕光色素蛋白复合体的寡聚体结构、调控光系统Ⅱ和光系统Ⅱ核心复合物的放氧活性等方面起着重要作用。     

扁藻光合甘油脂的UPLC-Q-TOF-MS鉴定

运用超高效液相色谱-四级杆飞行时间质谱联用分析系统（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）,直接分析总脂并建立了海洋扁藻（Tetr aselmis chuii）中光合甘油脂的精确结构鉴定方法.质谱采用电喷雾电离源（ESI）,TOF采用V飞行模式,分别在正负离子模式下对总脂进行检测.根据在ESI-MS/MS下各种甘油脂产生的特征离子碎片对甘油脂进行结构鉴定,并根据负离子模式下产生的羧酸阴离子,确定各个甘油脂分子的脂肪酰基组成.结果从扁藻中共检测到40多种甘油脂,包括11种单半乳糖甘油二酯（MGDG）,7种双半乳糖甘油二酯（DGDG）,16种硫代异鼠李糖甘油二酯（SQDG）和9种磷脂酰甘油（PG）,对这种微藻进行光合甘油脂的结构鉴定还不多见.此外,还鉴定出了一些传统GC-MS方法检测不到的羟基化脂肪酸,提供了扁藻光合脂质组的新信息.通过对sn-2位脂肪酸的比较研究表明,MGDG和SQDG主要通过原核途径合成,PG的形成是一种混合型生物合成途径;而DGDG在sn-2位特有C14：0和C16：0.这种方法提供了所有光合甘油脂的完整结构图谱,可以通过监测脂类的变化运用于海洋微藻的生理生态研究中.     

冷害对黄瓜叶绿体类囊体膜的影响

研究了冷害温度(0℃,16h)对黄瓜(Cucumis sativus L.)叶绿体类囊体膜膜脂、膜蛋白成分的影响。在没有可见伤害症状的低温处理条件下,黄瓜叶片叶绿体类囊体膜膜脂成分已有变化,主要是磷脂酰甘油(PG)含量明显降低,但主要脂类成分单半乳糖基甘油二酯(MGDG)、双半乳糖基甘油二酯(DGDG)、硫代异鼠李糖甘油二酯(SQDC)和PG的脂肪酸组分没有明显的变化;类囊体膜上色素蛋白质复合体的变化以光系统Ⅱ捕光叶绿素a/b蛋白质(LHCⅡ)单体及寡聚体含量的变化最明显,低温处理使LHCⅡ单体比例增加。对提纯的LHCⅡ结合脂的分析表明,低温处理改变了LHCⅡ结合脂及其脂肪酸的组成,使PG含量降低。以上结果表明,LHCⅡ结合脂成分变化以及LHCⅡ寡聚体解聚可能是叶绿体类囊体膜受冷害的最初反应。     

水稻OsMGD2和OsMGD3基因的功能鉴定及对烟草耐低磷胁迫的影响

【目的】单半乳糖甘油二酯合酶（MGD）是合成单半乳糖甘油二酯（MGDG）的关键酶,在植物响应低磷胁迫过程中起着重要作用。为系统了解水稻OsMGD2和OsMGD3基因在低磷胁迫响应中的作用和功能。【方法】采用盆栽试验分析正常和低磷条件下野生型（SR1）和过表达OsMGD2和OsMGD3转基因烟草的生理响应和脂质组分的变化。【结果】无论在正常还是低磷条件下,转基因烟草与野生型的磷含量无显著差异,然而转基因烟草的生物量、叶绿素含量和光合能力均显著高于野生型。转基因烟草在低磷胁迫下的磷脂（PL）含量、双半乳糖甘油二酯（DGDG）含量、DGDG/MGDG比值和半乳糖脂（GL）/PL比值均显著高于野生型烟草,且OsMGD3转基因烟草的脂质含量和比值均高于OsMGD2转基因烟草。【结论】通过调控水稻OsMGD2/3基因表达,可提高植物低磷下的膜脂重塑能力,维持植物在低磷胁迫下的较高的光合和生长能力,增加植物的低磷耐受性。     

从二溴百里香醌的抑制效应分析融合膜电子传递的途径

甲基紫精(MV)系统中,在对类囊体膜的光合磷酸化(PSP)活力近于完全抑制的二溴百里香醌(DBMIB)浓度下,由类囊体残缺膜与线粒体嵴膜组成的融合膜PSP活力不仅不被抑制,反而受到不同程度的促进。在铁氰化钾(FeCy)系统中,DBMIB对类囊体膜的PSP活力不能完全抑制,同样浓度的DBMIB对融合膜的PSP活力有抑制效应。检测了不同膜在不同系统中,光下耗氧、放氧、FeCy还原和融合效应的关系等,论证了融合膜中电子传递的途径。     

ESI-MS/MS方法检测拟南芥膜脂分子对机械伤害的响应

利用一种灵敏的、基于ESI-MS／MS（electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry）的脂类组学方法,测定了机械伤害诱导的拟南芥6种磷脂（phosphohpids）、2种糖脂（glycolipids）、3种溶血磷脂（lysophospholipids）和约120种脂类分子的变化,探索了膜脂响应机械伤害的基本趋势。结果表明,机械伤害后磷脂酸（phosphatidic acid,PA）和3种溶血磷脂显著升高,而叶绿体膜上的糖脂减少;在测量的1小时范围内,不同脂类水解产生的磷脂酸分子的增加速度和强度不同,反映出它们经历了不同的生化过程。具体表现为：（1）叶绿体膜脂磷脂酰甘油（phosphatidylglycero,PG）分子34：4 PG水解的产物磷脂酸分子34：4 PA的积累速度明显慢于其它磷脂酸分子;（2）磷脂酸分子34：6 PA仅有少量的积累,其可能是由叶绿体膜脂单半乳糖二酰甘油（monogalactosyldiacylglycerol,MGDG）。分子34：6 MGDG和双半乳糖二酰甘油（digalactosyldiacylglycerol,DGDG）分子34：6 DGDG水解产生,然而这两种糖脂含量明显下降,说明它们有可能还参与了其它的反应。脂类的摩尔百分组成没有剧烈的变化。     

Rhodobacter sphaeroides和Rhodovulum sulidophilum LHII的α和β亚基的交叉作用关系

类球红细菌(Rhodobacter sphaeroides)和嗜硫小红卵菌(Rhodovulum sulidophilum)为不同属的两种光合细菌,前者的捕光系统II由pucB、pucA基因编码产生的β亚基和α亚基组装形成,后者的捕光系统II由pucsB、pucsA基因编码产生的β亚基和α亚基组装形成.将这两组基因交叉组合,克隆到包含puc启动子的表达载体中,得到两个表达质粒即pRKpucsBpucA和pRKpucBpucsA,然后通过接合转移方法分别转入LHI、LHII和RC缺陷型菌株DD13中,两种接合转移菌株都可以形成捕光系统II并进入光合细菌膜系统.     

铝胁迫对水稻膜脂组分和含量的影响

以‘日本晴’水稻为试验材料,研究铝胁迫对水稻幼苗生长的影响,及铝胁迫下其根系和功能叶片中脂质含量及组分的变化。结果表明Al处理显著抑制了水稻根尖的伸长和生长,降低了植株的生物量以及叶绿素含量。铝胁迫后,半乳糖脂含量变化显著,根和叶中的单半乳糖甘油二酯(MGDG)和双半乳糖甘油二酯(DGDG)含量均降低;而磷脂(PL)及硫代异鼠李糖甘油二酯(SQDG)的含量在根中表现为上升,在叶中则显著降低。此外,根和叶中的脂肪酸不饱和度均降低。由此可见,铝胁迫引起水稻膜脂组分和含量的变化,这种变化可能是铝抑制植物生长的重要原因之一。     

ESI-MS MS方法检测拟南芥膜脂分子对机械伤害的响应

利用一种灵敏的、基于ESI-MS􊄯MS ( electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry) 的脂类组学方法,测定了机械伤害诱导的拟南芥6 种磷 (phospholipids) 、2 种糖脂(glycolipids) 、3 种溶血磷脂( lysophospholipids)和约120 种脂类分子的变化, 探索了膜脂响应机械伤害的基本趋势。结果表明, 机械伤害后磷脂酸( phosphatidic acid , PA) 和3 种溶血磷脂显著升高, 而叶绿体膜上的糖脂减少; 在测量的1 小时范围内, 不同脂类水解产生的磷脂酸分子的增加速度和强度不同, 反映出它们经历了不同的生化过程。具体表现为:(1 ) 叶绿体膜脂磷脂酰甘油(phosphatidylglycero , PG) 分子34∶4 PG 水解的产物磷脂酸分子34∶4 PA 的积累速度明显慢于其它磷脂酸分子; (2) 磷脂酸分子34∶6 PA 仅有少量的积累, 其可能是由叶绿体膜脂单半乳糖二酰甘油(monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, MGDG) 。分子34∶6 MGDG 和双半乳糖二酰甘油( digalactosyldiacylglycerol, DGDG) 分子34∶6 DGDG 水解产生, 然而这两种糖脂含量明显下降, 说明它们有可能还参与了其它的反应。脂类的摩尔百分组成没有剧烈的变化。     

膜脂对菠菜细胞色素b6f复合体电子传递活性的影响

利用从菠菜(Spinacia oleracea L.)叶绿体分离、纯化出的缺失膜脂的细胞色素b6f蛋白复合体(Cyt b6f)制剂与从菠菜类囊体分离、纯化的膜脂进行体外重组,检测了不同膜脂对Cyt b6f催化电子传递活性的影响.结果表明:被检测的5种膜脂,即单半乳糖基甘油二酯(MGDG)、双半乳糖基甘油二酯(DGDG)、磷脂酰胆碱(PC)、磷脂酰甘油(PG)和硫代异鼠李糖基甘油二酯(SQDG)对Cyt b6f催化电子传递的活性均有明显的促进作用,但促进的程度各不相同,这可能与这些膜脂分子的带电性质密切相关.不带电荷的MGDG和DGDG及分子整体呈电中性的PC对促进Cyt b6f催化电子传递的活性非常有效,可分别使其活性提高89%、75%和77%;而带负电荷的PG和SQDG对活性的促进作用则相对较弱,仅可使其活性分别提高43%和26%.     

Digalactosyldiacylglycerol synthesis in chloroplasts of the Arabidopsis dgd1 mutant

Galactolipid biosynthesis in plants is highly complex. It involves multiple pathways giving rise to different molecular species. To assess the contribution of different routes of galactolipid synthesis and the role of molecular species for growth and photosynthesis, we initiated a genetic approach of analyzing double mutants of the digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) synthase mutant dgd1 with the acyltransferase mutant, act1, and the two desaturase mutants, fad2 and fad3. The double mutants showed different degrees of growth retardation: act1,dgd1 was most severely affected and growth of fad2,dgd1 was slightly reduced, whereas fad3,dgd1 plants were very similar to dgd1. In act1,dgd1, lipid and chlorophyll content were reduced and photosynthetic capacity was affected. Molecular analysis of galactolipid content, fatty acid composition, and positional distribution suggested that the growth deficiency is not caused by changes in galactolipid composition per se. Chloroplasts of dgd1 were capable of synthesizing monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, DGDG, and tri- and tetragalactosyldiacylglycerol. Therefore, the reduced growth of act1,dgd1 and fad2,dgd1 cannot be explained by the absence of DGDG synthase activity from chloroplasts. Molecular analysis of DGDG accumulating in the mutants during phosphate deprivation suggested that similarly to the residual DGDG of dgd1, this additional lipid is synthesized in association with chloroplast membranes through a pathway independent of the mutations, act1, dgd1, fad2, and fad3. Our data imply that the severe growth defect of act1,dgd1 is caused by a reduced metabolic flux of chloroplast lipid synthesis through the eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathway as well as by the reduction of photosynthetic capacity caused by the destabilization of photosynthetic complexes.     

Role of galactolipid biosynthesis in coordinated development of photosynthetic complexes and thylakoid membranes during chloroplast biogenesis in Arabidopsis

The galactolipids monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) are the predominant lipids in thylakoid membranes and indispensable for photosynthesis. Among the three isoforms that catalyze MGDG synthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana, MGD1 is responsible for most galactolipid synthesis in chloroplasts, whereas MGD2 and MGD3 are required for DGDG accumulation during phosphate (Pi) starvation. A null mutant of Arabidopsis MGD1 (mgd1‐2), which lacks both galactolipids and shows a severe defect in chloroplast biogenesis under nutrient‐sufficient conditions, accumulated large amounts of DGDG, with a strong induction of MGD2/3 expression, during Pi starvation. In plastids of Pi‐starved mgd1‐2 leaves, biogenesis of thylakoid‐like internal membranes, occasionally associated with invagination of the inner envelope, was observed, together with chlorophyll accumulation. Moreover, the mutant accumulated photosynthetic membrane proteins upon Pi starvation, indicating a compensation for MGD1 deficiency by Pi stress‐induced galactolipid biosynthesis. However, photosynthetic activity in the mutant was still abolished, and light‐harvesting/photosystem core complexes were improperly formed, suggesting a requirement for MGDG for proper assembly of these complexes. During Pi starvation, distribution of plastid nucleoids changed concomitantly with internal membrane biogenesis in the mgd1‐2 mutant. Moreover, the reduced expression of nuclear‐ and plastid‐encoded photosynthetic genes observed in the mgd1‐2 mutant under Pi‐sufficient conditions was restored after Pi starvation. In contrast, Pi starvation had no such positive effects in mutants lacking chlorophyll biosynthesis. These observations demonstrate that galactolipid biosynthesis and subsequent membrane biogenesis inside the plastid strongly influence nucleoid distribution and the expression of both plastid‐ and nuclear‐encoded photosynthetic genes, independently of photosynthesis.     

A predicted plastid rhomboid protease affects phosphatidic acid metabolism in Arabidopsis thaliana

The thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast harbor the photosynthetic machinery that converts light into chemical energy. Chloroplast membranes are unique in their lipid makeup, which is dominated by the galactolipids mono‐ and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG and DGDG). The most abundant galactolipid, MGDG, is assembled through both plastid and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pathways in Arabidopsis, resulting in distinguishable molecular lipid species. Phosphatidic acid (PA) is the first glycerolipid formed by the plastid galactolipid biosynthetic pathway. It is converted to substrate diacylglycerol (DAG) for MGDG Synthase (MGD1) which adds to it a galactose from UDP‐Gal. The enzymatic reactions yielding these galactolipids have been well established. However, auxiliary or regulatory factors are largely unknown. We identified a predicted rhomboid‐like protease 10 (RBL10), located in plastids of Arabidopsis thaliana, that affects galactolipid biosynthesis likely through intramembrane proteolysis. Plants with T‐DNA disruptions in RBL10 have greatly decreased 16:3 (acyl carbons:double bonds) and increased 18:3 acyl chain abundance in MGDG of leaves. Additionally, rbl10‐1 mutants show reduced [¹⁴C]–acetate incorporation into MGDG during pulse?chase labeling, indicating a reduced flux through the plastid galactolipid biosynthesis pathway. While plastid MGDG biosynthesis is blocked in rbl10‐1 mutants, they are capable of synthesizing PA, as well as producing normal amounts of MGDG by compensating with ER‐derived lipid precursors. These findings link this predicted protease to the utilization of PA for plastid galactolipid biosynthesis potentially revealing a regulatory mechanism in chloroplasts.     

Glycerolipid synthesis in Chlorella kessleri 11h. I. Existence of a eukaryotic pathway

The fatty acid distributions at the sn-1 and sn-2 positions in major chloroplast lipids of Chlorella kessleri 11h, monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG), were determined to show the coexistence of both C16 and C18 acids at the sn-2 position, i.e. of prokaryotic and eukaryotic types in these galactolipids. For investigation of the biosynthetic pathway for glycerolipids in C. kessleri 11h, cells were fed with [14C]acetate for 30 min, and then the distribution of the radioactivity among glycerolipids and their constituent fatty acids during the subsequent chase period was determined. MGDG and DGDG were labeled predominantly as the sn-1-C18-sn-2-C16 (C18/C16) species as early as by the start of the chase, which suggested the synthesis of these lipids within chloroplasts via a prokaryotic pathway. On the other hand, the sn-1-C18-sn-2-C18 (C18/C18) species of these galactolipids gradually gained radioactivity at later times, concomitant with a decrease in the radioactivity of the C18/C18 species of phosphatidylcholine (PC). The change at later times can be explained by the conversion of the C18/C18 species of PC into galactolipids through a eukaryotic pathway. The results showed that C. kessleri 11h, distinct from most of other green algal species that were postulated mainly to use a prokaryotic pathway for the synthesis of chloroplast lipids, is similar to a group of higher plants designated as 16:3 plants in terms of the cooperation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathways to synthesize chloroplast lipids. We propose that the physiological function of the eukaryotic pathway in C. kessleri 11h is to supply chloroplast membranes with 18:3/18:3-MGDG for their functioning, and that the acquisition of a eukaryotic pathway by green algae was favorable for evolution into land plants.     

Tetrapyrrole synthesis of photosynthetic chromerids is likely homologous to the unusual pathway of apicomplexan parasites

Most photosynthetic eukaryotes synthesize both heme and chlorophyll via a common tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway starting from glutamate. This pathway was derived mainly from cyanobacterial predecessor of the plastid and differs from the heme synthesis of the plastid-lacking eukaryotes. Here, we show that the coral-associated alveolate Chromera velia, the closest known photosynthetic relative to Apicomplexa, possesses a tetrapyrrole pathway that is homologous to the unusual pathway of apicomplexan parasites. We also demonstrate that, unlike other eukaryotic phototrophs, Chromera synthesizes chlorophyll from glycine and succinyl-CoA rather than glutamate. Our data shed light on the evolution of the heme biosynthesis in parasitic Apicomplexa and photosynthesis-related biochemical processes in their ancestors.     

Metabolism and functions of phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a quantitatively minor membrane phospholipid that is synthesized by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In this review we focus on genes and enzymes that are involved in PS biosynthesis in bacteria, yeast, plants and mammalian cells and discuss the available information on the regulation of PS biosynthesis in these organisms. The enzymes that synthesize PS are restricted to endoplasmic reticulum membranes in yeast and mammalian cells, yet PS is widely distributed throughout other organelle membranes. Thus, mechanisms of inter-organelle movement of PS, particularly the transport of PS from its site of synthesis to the site of PS decarboxylation in mitochondria, are considered. PS is normally asymmetrically distributed across the membrane bilayer, thus the mechanisms of transbilayer translocation of PS, particularly across the plasma membrane, are also discussed. The exposure of PS on the outside surface of cells is widely believed to play a key role in the removal of apoptotic cells and in initiation of the blood clotting cascade. PS is also the precursor of phosphatidylethanolamine that is made by PS decarboxylase in bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. Furthermore, PS is required as a cofactor for several important enzymes, such as protein kinase C and Raf-1 kinase, that are involved in signaling pathways.     

Observation of One Pheophytin a Molecule Not Associated with Primary Photochemistry in the Isolated Photosystem Ⅱ Reaction Center D1/D2/Cyt b559 Complex

Photodamage of pheophytin a (pheo a) in the isolated photosystem Ⅱ (PSⅡ ) reaction center D1/D2/Cyt b559 complex from spinach has been investigated by high performance liquid chromatographic method in detail. The results showed that: (1) There is one pheo a molecule which is not associated with the primary photochemistry in the PS Ⅱ reaction center complex. It may be considered that there are two different electron transfer branches in the PS Ⅱ reaction center just as in the purple bacterium photosynthetic reaction center. (2) The damaged pheo a may be attributed to the one bonding to the D2 protein comparing the D2 subunit in the PS Ⅱ reaction center with M subunit in the purple bacterium photosynthetic reaction center. (3) A possible arrangement model of redox cofactors in the PS Ⅱ reaction center was proposed based on our experiment.     

Profiles of photosynthetic glycerolipids in three strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Skeletonema</Emphasis> determined by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

An exhaustive qualitative and quantitative profiling of the photosynthetic glycerolipids in three strains of the marine diatom Skeletonema sp. was carried out by ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry. In the diatom thylakoid membrane, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) account for about 45–70% and 5–15% of the total membrane lipids, respectively. The anionic sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) as well as the likewise anionic phosphatidylglycerol (PG) contribute between 10–40% and 4–10% each. The predominant species of MGDG were those with C_16:3/C_16:3, C_20:5/_16:1, and C_20:5/C_16:3. Three main molecular species of DGDG contained C_20:5/C_16:1, C_20:5/C_16:2, and C_16:1/C_16:1. The major molecular species of SQDG were those containing combinations of C_14:0/C_14:0, C_14:0/C_16:0, C_14:0/C_16:1, and C_14:0/C_16:3. All the PG classes contained the C_18:1/C_18:1 as the main molecular species. Based on the fatty acid species in sn-2 position, it is indicated that MGDG and DGDG are biosynthesized through prokaryotic pathway exclusively within the chloroplast, whereas PG and SQDG have a typical mixed biosynthetic pathway (both prokaryotic pathway and eukaryotic pathways). The chemical characteristics of photosynthetic glycerolipids related with ecological physiology are discussed.     

Is Protein Import into Plastids with Four‐Membrane Envelopes Dependent on Two Toc Systems Operating in Tandem?

Abstract: Plastids with four‐membrane envelopes have evolved by several independent endosymbioses involving a eukaryotic alga as the endosymbiont and a protozoan predator as the host. It is assumed that their outermost membrane is derived from the phagosomal membrane of the host and that protein targeting to and across this membrane proceeds co‐translationally, including ER and the Golgi apparatus (e.g., chlorarachniophytes) or only ER (e.g., heterokonts). Since the two inner membranes (or the plastid envelope) of such a complex plastid are derived from the endosymbiont plastid, they are probably provided with Toc and Tic systems, enabling post‐translational passage of the imported proteins into the stroma. The third envelope membrane, or the periplastid one, originates from the endosymbiont plasmalemma, but what import apparatus operates in it remains enigmatic. Recently, Cavalier‐Smith (1999^[5]) has proposed that the Toc system, pre‐existing in the endosymbiont plastid, has been relocated to the periplastid membrane, and that plastids having four envelope membranes contain two Toc systems operating in tandem and requiring the same targeting sequence, i.e., the transit peptide. Although this model is parsimonious, it encounters several serious obstacles, the most serious one resulting from the complex biogenesis of Toc75 which forms a translocation pore. In contrast to most proteins targeted to the outer membrane of the plastid envelope, this protein carries a complex transit peptide, indicating that a successful integration of the Toc system into the periplastid membrane would have to be accompanied by relocation of the stromal processing peptidase to the endosymbiont cytosol. However, such a relocation would be catastrophic because this enzyme would cleave the transit peptide off all plastid‐destined proteins, thus disabling biogenesis of the plastid compartment. Considering these difficulties, I suggest that in periplastid membranes two Toc‐independent translocation apparatuses have evolved: a porin‐like channel in chlorarachniophytes and cryptophytes, and a vesicular pathway in heterokonts and haptophytes. Since simultaneous evolution of a new transport system in the periplastid membrane and in the phagosomal one would be complicated, it is argued that plastids with four‐membrane envelopes have evolved by replacement of plastids with three‐membrane envelopes. I suggest that during the first round of secondary endosymbioses (resulting in plastids surrounded by three membranes), myzocytotically‐engulfed eukaryotic alga developed a Golgi‐mediated targeting pathway which was added to the Toc/Tic‐based apparatus of the endosymbiont plastid. During the second round of secondary endosymbioses (resulting in plastids surrounded by four membranes), phagocytotically‐engulfed eukaryotic alga exploited the Golgi pathway of the original plastid, and a new translocation system had to originate only in the periplastid membrane, although its emergence probably resulted in modification of the import machinery pre‐existing in the endosymbiont plastid.