Encodes a permease-like protein involved in lipid transfer from the ER to the chloroplast, more specifically, transfer of phosphatidate across the chloroplast inner membrane. Mutant leaves accumulate trigalactosyldiacylglycerol, triacylglycerol and phosphatidate. Chloroplast lipids are altered in their fatty acid composition and as a consequence the development of chloroplasts in the mutants are impacted. The mutant seeds has a higher abortion rate. Mutations in this gene suppress the low temperature-induced phenotype of Arabidopsis tocopherol-deficient mutant vte2.