Two-dimensional gel analysis of polypeptide appearance in forming thylakoid membranes

Abstract For the first time, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is used to analyse the polypeptide composition of thylakoid membranes during chloroplast development. The number of polypeptide spots resolved on the two-dimensional gels is 3–4 times the number of bands previously resolved on one-dimensional gels. The pattern of polypeptide synthesis and insertion into the forming thylakoid membranes of dark-grown Euglena exposed to light conforms with previous biochemical measurements on the assembly of the electron transport chain located in these membranes.