Illuminating topics in plant photobiology
Light signals acting through photoreceptors and signal transduction chains shape plant growth, development, physiology and metabolism to best suit the organism to the prevailing conditions. Genetic, biochemical and molecular studies, particularly in the model system Arabidopsis thaliana, have produced highly detailed descriptions of many light responses so that now molecular pathways are coming into view. In this review the current state of research in several diverse areas within the field of plant photomorphogenesis is discussed. The topics include phytochrome localization and interactions with signalling elements, cryptochrome function, phototropin photochemistry and physiology, the role of proteolysis in light signalling, the plant circadian clock, and the transition to flowering.