Intersystem photosynthetic redox signals in retrograde chloroplast-to-nucleus communication of higher plant cells
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PD Dr. Thomas Pfannschmidt | Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena
Photosynthesis is not only an energy fixating process, it also serves as an important sensor which detects the surrounding conditions of a plant. Environmental fluctuations which affect the electron transport such as changes in light intensity or light quality induce respective changes in the redox state of components involved in the photosynthetic light reaction. These redox changes initiate molecular responses which acclimate the photosynthetic process to the residing conditions and help the plant to survive.
This functional feed-back mechanism involves a complex signalling network which controls plastid and nuclear genes. How this network functions is largely unknown. Especially the control of nuclear genes is complex since it requires (a) signalling cascade(s) which leave(s) the organelle. Such redox signals therefore represent a novel class of retrograde signals. By inducing long-term light quality acclimation responses we investigate the transduction of redox signals from the intersystem electron transport chain toward the nucleus. This includes
- the identification of involved signalling components by mutants and promoter-protein interaction assays,
- the characterisation of their properties by molecular and biochemical techniques and
- the investigation of their interactions with other signalling routes using genetics and physiology
Goals of subproject 3: Retrograde redox signals
- LTR-controlled genes, promoters and trans-acting factor
- Signaling components
- Cross-talk with other retrograde routes
Literature
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