ISSN:
1365-3040
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Phytochromes are photoreceptors in plants which can exist in two different conformations: the red light-absorbing form (Pr) and the far-red light-absorbing form (Pfr), depending on the light quality. The Pfr form is the physiologically active conformation. To attenuate the Pfr signal for phytochrome A (phyA), at least two different mechanisms exist: destruction of the molecule and dark reversion. Destruction is an active process leading to the degradation of Pfr. Dark reversion is the light-independent conversion of physiologically active Pfr into inactive Pr. Here, we show that dark reversion is not only an intrinsic property of the phytochrome molecule but is modulated by cellular components. Furthermore, we demonstrate that dark reversion of phyA may be observed in Arabidopsis ecotype RLD but not in other Arabidopsis ecotypes. For the first time, we have identified mutants with altered dark reversion and destruction in a set of previously isolated loss of function PHYA alleles (Xu et al. Plant Cell 1995, 7, 1433–1443). Therefore, the dynamics of the phytochrome molecule itself need to be considered during the characterization of signal transduction mutants.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3040.2000.00550.x
