A nuclear encoded chloroplast ATP synthase mutant of Zea mays L

Summary Numerous Escherichia coli mutants have been used to determine the genetics and sequence of assembly of the prokaryotic proton-translocating ATP synthase complex. Similar studies with the analogous chloroplast ATP synthase in higher plants have not been possible due to lack of suitable mutants. We describe here a preliminary characterization of cfr, a nuclear mutation in Zea mays L. that appears to destabilize or prevent assembly of the chloroplast ATP synthase complex. Biochemical and physiological analyses indicate that the amounts of both the CF₁ and CF_o components of the complex are severely diminished. Mutant seedlings are pale green and occasionally survive, with greatly reduced vigor, to maturity. The cfr locus has been mapped genetically to the short arm of chromosome. 1.