Intracellular Distribution of Heat Shock Proteins in Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)

The proteins synthesized in response to higher temperature in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) plants have been studied with respect to their intracellular localization using root tissue. The heat shock proteins (hsps) of 18, 20, 22 and 24 kD were found to be associated with mitochondrial and membrane fractions, while the 60, 70 and 81 kD hsps were found in the soluble fraction. No evidence for the presence of hsps among the proteins synthesized in organello by isolated mitochondria could be obtained. Low molecular weight hsps (18, 20, 22 and 24 kD) were found associated with mitochondria isolated from the heat shocked tissue suggesting that these hsps may have been transported post-translationally into mitochondria.