Translation of the Chloroplast psbA mRNA Requires the Nuclear-encoded Poly(A)-binding Protein, RB47

A set of nuclear mutants of C. reinhardtii were identified that specifically lack translation of the chloroplast-encoded psbA mRNA, which encodes the photosystem II reaction center polypeptide D1. Two of these mutants are deficient in the 47-kD member (RB47) of the psbA RNA-binding complex, which has previously been identified both genetically and biochemically as a putative translational activator of the chloroplast psbA mRNA. RB47 is a member of the poly(A)-binding protein family, and binds with high affinity and specificity to the 5′ untranslated region of the psbA mRNA. The results presented here confirm RB47's role as a message-specific translational activator in the chloroplast, and bring together genetic and biochemical data to form a cohesive model for light- activated translational regulation in the chloroplast.