Chloroplast function requires the import of nuclear encoded proteins from the cytoplasm across the chloroplast double membrane. This is accomplished by two protein complexes, the Toc complex located at the outer membrane and the Tic complex located at the inner membrane. The Toc complex recognises specific proteins by a cleavable N-terminal sequence and is primarily responsible for translocation through the outer membrane, while the Tic complex translocates the protein through the inner membrane. This entry represents Tic20, a core member of the Tic complex. This protein is deeply embedded in the inner envelope membrane and is thought to function as a protein- conducting component of the Tic complex.

1: Tic20 and Tic22 are new components of the protein import apparatus at the chloroplast inner envelope membrane. Kouranov A, Chen X, Fuks B, Schnell DJ; J Cell Biol. 1998;143:991-1002. PMID:9817756

2: Role of temperature stress on chloroplast biogenesis and protein import in pea. Dutta S, Mohanty S, Tripathy BC; Plant Physiol. 2009;150:1050-1061. PMID:19403728

3: Protein import into chloroplasts: the Tic complex and its regulation. Kovacs-Bogdan E, Soll J, Bolter B; Biochim Biophys Acta. 2010;1803:740-747. PMID:20100520