The isolation and characterization of Chaperonin 60 from sweet potato roots - Involvement of the chaperonins in starch biosynthesis

Molecular chaperonins cpn60 alpha and cpn60 beta were isolated from sweet p otato roots and were characterized as homologous polymers. However, their i mmunochemical and biochemical properties were divergent. The two chaperonin s as well as starch phosphorylase appeared concurrently during the starch-a ccumulating period and were localized in the starch granule by histochemica l methods. Notably, these proteins increased substantially in cells around the anomalous cambium when sweet potato initiated starch biosynthesis. Obse rvations in this study indicated that the chaperonins might be involved in the biosynthesis of starch in sweet potato roots.