At3g19720: ARC5 (ACCUMULATION AND REPLICATION OF CHLOROPLAST 5)

Encodes a novel chloroplast division protein. Mutants of exhibit defects in chloroplast constriction, have enlarged, dumbbell-shaped chloroplasts. The ARC5 gene product shares similarity with the dynamin family of GTPases, which mediate endocytosis, mitochondrial division, and other organellar fission and fusion events in eukaryotes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that ARC5 is related to a group of dynamin-like proteins unique to plants. A GFP���ARC5 fusion protein localizes to a ring at the chloroplast division site. Chloroplast import and protease protection assays indicate that the ARC5 ring is positioned on the outer surface of the chloroplast. Facilitates separation of the two daughter chloroplasts.