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Results for “Light Signal Transduction”

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PubMed2002

Phytochrome-mediated photoperception and signal transduction in higher plants.

Light provides a major source of information from the environment during plant growth and development. Light perception is mediated through the action of several photoreceptors, including the phytochromes. Recent results demonstrate that light responses involve the regulation of several thousand genes. Some of the key events controlling this gene expression are the translocation of the phytochrome photoreceptors into the nucleus followed by their binding to transcription factors. Coupled with these events, the degradation of positively acting intermediates appears to be an important process whereby photomorphogenesis is repressed in darkness. This review summarizes our current knowledge of these processes.

Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2005

Signal transduction protein PII phosphatase PphA is required for light-dependent control of nitrate utilization in synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803.

Signal transduction protein P(II) is dephosphorylated in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 by protein phosphatase PphA. To determine the impact of PphA-mediated P(II) dephosphorylation on physiology, the phenotype of a PphA-deficient mutant was analyzed. Mutants lacking either PphA or P(II) were impaired in efficient utilization of nitrate as the nitrogen source. Under conditions of limiting photosystem I (PSI)-reduced ferredoxin, excess reduction of nitrate along with impaired reduction of nitrite occurred in P(II) signaling mutants, resulting in excretion of nitrite to the medium. This effect could be reversed by increasing the level of PSI-reduced ferredoxin. We present evidence that nonphosphorylated P(II) controls the utilization of nitrate in response to low light intensity by tuning down nitrate uptake to meet the actual reduction capacity. This control mechanism can be bypassed by exposing cells to excess levels of nitrate. Uncontrolled nitrate uptake leads to light-dependent nitrite excretion even in wild-type cells, confirming that nitrate uptake controls nitrate utilization in response to limiting photon flux densities.

Light↗

PubMed1992

The heterodimer calmodulin: myosin light-chain kinase as a prototype vertebrate calcium signal transduction complex.

The heterodimer complex of calmodulin (CaM) and the protein kinase catalytic subunit of myosin light chain kinase from vertebrate smooth muscle and non-muscle tissues (sm/nmMLCK) is one of the most extensively characterized CaM-regulated enzyme complexes and it has an established in vivo role in the transduction of calcium signals into biological responses. We have used a combination of approaches to the study of CaM and sm/nmMLCK in order to derive initial insight into the key features of each protein and of the CaM-MLCK heterodimeric complex that are involved in protein-protein and calcium-protein recognition and regulation of enzyme activity. On-going studies are described here that include site-specific mutagenesis, fluorescence spectroscopy, enzymology and peptide analog analysis. These and previous results indicate that: (1), both electrostatic and hydrophobic features are important in the functionally correct interactions between CaM and MLCK; (2), even the interactions between CaM and peptide analogs of the CaM binding site of MLCK are heterogeneous and non-trivial in nature; (3), amino-acid residues that have been conserved in CaM across millions of years of evolution and that are conserved in CaMs with quantitative MLCK activator activity can be mutated without any detectable effect on activity and (4), structures different from the prototypical EF-hand domain of CaM can have similar calcium-binding activity in the presence of a CaM binding structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Loss of the circadian clock-associated protein 1 in Arabidopsis results in altered clock-regulated gene expression.

Little is known about plant circadian oscillators, in spite of how important they are to sessile plants, which require accurate timekeepers that enable the plants to respond to their environment. Previously, we identified a circadian clock-associated (CCA1) gene that encodes an Myb-related protein that is associated with phytochrome control and circadian regulation in plants. To understand the role CCA1 plays in phytochrome and circadian regulation, we have isolated an Arabidopsis line with a T DNA insertion that results in the loss of CCA1 RNA, of CCA1 protein, and of an Lhcb-promoter binding activity. This mutation affects the circadian expression of all four clock-controlled genes that we examined. The results show that, despite their similarity, CCA1 and LHY are only partially redundant. The lack of CCA1 also affects the phytochrome regulation of gene expression, suggesting that CCA1 has an additional role in a signal transduction pathway from light, possibly acting at the point of integration between phytochrome and the clock. Our results indicate that CCA1 is an important clock-associated protein involved in circadian regulation of gene expression.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2000

The genetics of phytochrome signalling in Arabidopsis.

The application of Arabidopsis genetics to research into the responses of plants to light has enabled rapid recent advances in this field. The plant photoreceptor phytochrome mediates well-defined responses that can be exploited to provide elegant and specific genetic screens. By this means, not only have mutants affecting the phytochromes themselves been isolated, but also mutants affecting the transduction of phytochrome signals. The genes involved in these processes have now begun to be characterized by using this genetic approach to isolate signal transduction components. Most of the components characterized so far are capable of being translocated to the cell nucleus, and they may help to define a new system of regulation of gene expression. This review summarises the ongoing contribution made by genetics to our understanding of light perception and signal transduction by the phytochrome system.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed1994

Dissection of eukaryotic transmembrane signalling using Chlamydomonas.

Novel insights and surprises are often generated when investigators choose an organism that permits a new approach to a problem. For example, secretory and cell-cycle mutants in yeast have provided quantum leaps in elucidating these processes. Similarly, genetic systems are providing exciting new insights into signal transduction. The 'green yeast' Chlamydomonas has the potential to be a particularly rich organism for genetic analysis of signal transduction because, although unicellular, it has several interesting behaviours, which are discussed in this article by Lynne Quarmby and Criss Hartzell. Phototaxis results from the transduction of a light signal received by the eyespot to changes in flagellar beat. The mating reactions, which culminate in the fusion of gametes, are initiated in response to adhesion of flagellar proteins. Deflagellation, or flagellar shedding, is an acute response to a variety of stimuli. Molecular genetic analysis of behavioural mutants is providing new directions for understanding signal integration and segregation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Advances in cryptocromes and their signal transduction].

Cryptochromes are blue light receptors which share the similar function with the phytochromes in regulation of the growth and development in plants. After 90's, especially in the recent years, profound studies have been carried around the cryptochromes. Cryptochromes were found not only in plants, but also in animals. It has been known that cryptochromes are involved in de-etiolation in seed germination, photoperiodic-inductive flowering, regulation of circadian rhythm, etc. In the article, we introduced the characteristics of cryptochromes and the genes, including cryptochromes structure, the presence in plant kingdom, the localization in cells, and the expression regulated by light. In addition, the function of cryptochrome in plant photomorphogenesis and in controlling of the circadian clock in plants and animals was summarized. Through analysis of the relationships between cryptochromes and the interacted proteins, we clarified primarily the roles of how cryptochromes mediate the plant growth and development via interacting with proteins in the signal pathway. It was suggested that studying the cryptochromes and their signal transduction profoundly to disclose the nature of plant photomorphogenesis will be of great importance both to biologic theory as well as application.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The role of calcium in blue-light-dependent chloroplast movement in lemna trisulca L

Chloroplast movements are a normal physiological response to changes in light intensity and provide a good model system to analyse the signal transduction pathways following light perception. Blue-light-dependent chloroplast movements were observed in Lemna trisulca using confocal optical sectioning and 3-D reconstruction or photometric measurements of leaf transmission. Chloroplasts moved away from strong blue light (SBL) towards the anticlinal walls (profile position), and towards the periclinal walls (face position) under weak blue light (WBL) over about 20-40 min. Cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2 + ]cyt) forms part of the signalling system in response to SBL as movements were associated with small increases in [Ca2 + ]cyt and were blocked by antagonists of calcium homeostasis, including EGTA, nifedipine, verapamil, caffeine, thapsigargin, TFP (trifluoperazine), W7 and compound 48/80. Treatments predicted to affect internal Ca2 + stores gave the most rapid and pronounced effects. In addition, artificially increasing [Ca2 + ]cyt in darkness using the Ca2 + ionophore A23187 and high external Ca2 + (or Sr2 + ), triggered partial movement of chloroplasts to profile position analogous to a SBL response. These data are all consistent with [Ca2 + ]cyt acting as a signal in SBL responses; however, the situation is more complex given that both WBL and SBL responses were inhibited to a similar extent by all the Ca2 + -signalling antagonists used. As the direction of chloroplast movement in WBL is exactly opposite to that in SBL, we conclude that, whilst proper regulation of [Ca2 + ]cyt homeostasis is critical for both SBL and WBL responses, additional factors may be required to specify the direction of chloroplast movement.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Analysis of correlated domain motions in IgG light chain reveals possible mechanisms of immunological signal transduction.

It was shown experimentally that binding of a micelle composed of Congo red molecules to immunological complexes leads to the enhanced stability of the latter, and simultaneously prevents binding of a complement molecule (C1q). The dye binds in a cavity created by the removal of N-terminal polypeptide chain, as observed experimentally in a model system-immunoglobulin G (IgG) light chain dimer. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations of three forms of IgG light chain dimer, with and without the dye, were performed to investigate the role of N-terminal fragment and self-assembled ligand in coupling between V and C domains. Root-mean-square distance (RMSD) time profiles show that removal of N-terminal fragment leads to destabilization of V domain. A micelle composed of four self-assembled dye molecules stabilizes and fixes the domain. Analysis of root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) values and dynamic cross-correlation matrices (DCCM) reveals that removal of N-terminal fragment results in complete decoupling between V and C domains. Binding of self-assembled Congo red molecules improves the coupling, albeit slightly. The disruption of a small beta-sheet composed of N- and C-terminal fragments of the domain (NC sheet) is the most likely reason for the decoupling. Self-assembled ligand, bound in the place originally occupied by N-terminal fragment, is not able to take over the function of the beta-sheet. Lack of correlation of motions between residues in V and C domains denotes that light chain-Congo red complexes have hampered ability to transmit conformational changes between domains. This is a likely explanation of the lack of complement binding by immunological complexes, which bind Congo red, and supports the idea that the NC sheet is the key structural fragment taking part in immunological signal transduction.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2000

Plant blue-light receptors.

Plants have several blue-light receptors, which regulate different aspects of growth and development. Recent studies have identified three such receptors: cryptochrome 1, cryptochrome 2 and phototropin. Cryptochromes 1 and 2 are photolyase-like receptors that regulate hypocotyl growth and flowering time; phototropin mediates phototropism in response to blue light. In addition, phytochrome A has also been found to mediate various blue-light responses. Although the signal-transduction mechanisms of blue-light receptors remain largely unclear, phototropin is probably a protein kinase that regulates cytoplasmic calcium concentrations, whereas the cryptochromes might regulate anion-channel activity and changes in gene expression.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed1999

DCRY is a Drosophila photoreceptor protein implicated in light entrainment of circadian rhythm.

BACKGROUND: Light is the major environmental signal for the entrainment of circadian rhythms. In Drosophila melanogaster, the period(per) and timeless (tim) genes are required for circadian behavioural rhythms and their expression levels undergo circadian fluctuations. Light signals can entrain these rhythms by shifting their phases. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism for the perception and transduction of the light signal. The members of the photolyase/cryptochrome family contain flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as chromophore and are involved in two diverse functions, DNA repair and photoreception of environmental light signals. RESULTS: We report the cloning of a new member of this family, dcry, from Drosophila. Northern blot analysis shows that this gene is expressed in various tissues. The dcry mRNA is expressed in a circadian manner in adult heads, while such rhythmic fluctuation is abolished in the clock-defective per0 and tim0 mutants. The circadian expression is dampened down in constant darkness. The over-expression of the dcry gene alters the light-induced phase delay in the locomotor activity rhythms of flies. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that DCRY is a circadian photoreceptor and that its expression is regulated by circadian clock genes.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

Gravitational response of the slime mold Physarum.

The acellular slime mold Physarum polycephalum is used as a model system to investigate the graviresponse of single cells which possess no receptors specialized for the perception of gravity. To obtain insights into the gravity-signal transduction mechanism the light response of the cell is used: Macroplasmodia of the slime mold show clear geo- and phototaxes. Gravity increases and white light decreases transiently the contraction frequency of plasmodial strands whereby both responses follow the same time pattern. Since mitochondria play a major role in changing the contraction rhythm in response to light and gravity stimuli, the simultaneous and subsequent inductions of the opposing light and gravity responses and their mutual influences on one another were investigated. The experiments were performed in weightlessness (0 g)--simulated on the fast-rotating clinostat as well as in actual weightlessness during the IML-1 Space Shuttle mission. The results indicate that mitochondria (chondriome) are part of the acceleration-stimulus reaction chain in Physarum. Two models for a direct gravireceptor mechanism are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Disruption of Rho signal transduction upon cell detachment.

Serum-soluble factors play a dominant role in the activation of the small GTPase RhoA. Cell adhesion also modulates RhoA activity but the effect is modest in the absence of serum. Here, we show that cell adhesion is required for serum-stimulated Rho signal transduction leading to myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. Characterization of Rho-kinase substrates revealed that diphosphorylation of MLC at Thr-18 and Ser-19 (ppMLC(T18/S19)) and phosphorylation of the myosin-binding subunit (MBS) of myosin phosphatase at Thr-853 (pMBS(T853)) were mostly Rho and Rho-kinase dependent in attached fibroblasts. MLC monophosphorylation at Ser-19 (pMLC(S19)) was partially dependent on Rho kinase, whereas phosphorylation of MBS at Thr-696 (pMBS(T696)) and phosphorylation of CPI-17 at Thr-38 (pCPI-17(T38)) were mostly Rho-kinase independent. Cell detachment caused a significant reduction in pMLC(S19) and a more dramatic decrease of ppMLC(T18/S19) without inhibiting RhoA. pMBS(T853), pMBS(T696) and pCPI-17(T38) were not significantly reduced, suggesting that myosin-phosphatase activity was little changed. Cells expressing active RhoA (RhoA(V14)) or Rho-kinase catalytic domain maintained elevated pMBS(T853) upon detachment but failed to support ppMLC(T18/S19), indicating that the ability of Rho kinase to phosphorylate MLC is impaired. Reattachment to immobilized fibronectin resulted in a gradual recovery of Rho-kinase-induced ppMLC(T18/S19) that is absent from the cells attached to poly-L-lysine. The convergence of signals from soluble factors and cell adhesion might therefore occur at the point of MLC phosphorylation, providing an effective mechanism for dynamic control of contractility during cell migration.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed2006

Photoreceptor vitality in organotypic cultures of mature vertebrate retinas validated by light-dependent molecular movements.

Vertebrate photoreceptor cells are polarized neurons highly specialized for light absorption and visual signal transduction. Photoreceptor cells consist of the light sensitive outer segment and the biosynthetic active inner segment linked by a slender connecting cilium. The function of mature photoreceptor cells is strictly dependent on this compartmentalization which is maintained in the specialized retinal environment. To keep this fragile morphologic and functional composition for further cell biological studies and treatments we established organotypic retina cultures of mature mice and Xenopus laevis. The organotypic retina cultures of both model organisms are created as co-cultures of the retina and the pigment epithelium, still attached to outer segments of the photoreceptor cells. To demonstrate the suitability of the culture system for physiological analyses we performed apoptotic cell death analyses and verified photoreceptor viability. Furthermore, light-dependent bidirectional movements of arrestin and transducin in photoreceptors in vivo and in the retinal cultures were indistinguishable indicating normal photoreceptor cell-biologic function in organotypic cultures. Our established culture systems allow the analysis of mature photoreceptor cells and their accessibility to treatments, characteristic for common cell culture. Furthermore, this culturing technique also provides an appropriate system for gene delivery to retinal cells and will serve to simulate gene therapeutic approaches prior to difficult and time-consuming in vivo experiments.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Analysis of photocontrol of aspartate kinase in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings.

Aspartate kinase (AK) activity is regulated by light. The activity was more in light exposed barley seedlings than those grown in the dark. The light effect was manifested even with small exposures of 5 min duration and red light was more effective than white light in this respect. The effect of 5 min red light could be reversed by a 5 min pulse of far-red light indicating the involvement of phytochrome in this response. The phytochrome is also involved in long term light effects (24 hr exposures with white light). Ca++ takes part in the signal transduction pathway for this light response. Western blot analysis using antibodies raised against the purified lysine- and threonine-sensitive AK isoenzymes from spinach leaves showed no cross reaction with the antibodies to the threonine-sensitive AK in the dark and 5 min far-red light exposed seedlings. But the protein band was detected in the white and red lights. Northern blot analysis of seedlings grown under dark and exposed to white, red and far-red lights and probed with the gene encoding aspartokinase-homoserine dehydrogenase (AKHSD) protein indicated that the gene was differentially expressed. In dark grown seedlings, AKHSD transcript was in low concentration as compared to white light where the transcript concentration was high. A 5 min red light pulse increased the transcript concentration significantly in contrast to 5 min far-red light. The transcript concentration was reduced when 5 min red light was followed by a 5 min far-red light pulse. The AK activity in dark-raised seedlings is attributed to the presence of only one isoenzyme that is sensitive to lysine but insensitive to Ca++ and calmodulin (CAM). In both white and red light exposed seedlings, three isoenzymes of AK were detected. Two of these were sensitive to threonine while one was sensitive to lysine. Both of the threonine sensitive isoenzymes were activated by Ca++ and CAM. Also one of these isoenzymes seems to be located and synthesized in chloroplasts because its synthesis was completely inhibited by chloramphenicol but not by cycloheximide.

Aspartate Kinase↗

PubMed1991

Light signals in leaf and chloroplast development: photoreceptors and downstream responses in search of a transduction pathway.

Light affects both the development and the metabolism of plants. In addition to the role of light in providing energy for photosynthesis, light signals cause profound changes in the morphology of the developing young seedling, including cotyledon expansion, leaf development, inhibition of stem growth, and production of chlorophyll in the photosynthetically competent chloroplast. The light-dependent development of plants (photomorphogenesis) is a complex process resulting from the combined action of several photoreceptors. This review summarizes what is known of the red- and blue-light photoreceptors that regulate dicotyledonous seedling development and the complexity of the downstream responses. Special emphasis is placed on the recent progress made toward genetic and biochemical dissection of the signal transduction pathways.

Chloroplasts↗

PubMed1988

Experiments and appropriate facilities for plant physiology research in space.

Light is a very essential parameter in a plant's life. Changing the quality and/or quantity of illumination will not only determine the further development (photomorphogenesis), but also effect spontaneous responses like curvatures (phototropism). But there are several still unknown links in the signal transduction chain from the perception of the light signals to the terminal response. It is known from ground-based experiments, that part of this signal transduction path is congruous with that of gravitational signals. Biosample is a technology development programme, which enables sophisticated experiments with whole plants in a microgravity environment. It allows complex sequences of gravitational- and light-stimuli with simultaneous recording of the plant's response (e.g. curvature of the stem) by video. This facility in union with new genetic mutants, which are less- or insensitive to light, gravity or both, are convenient tools for progress in plant physiology research.

Biotechnology↗

PubMed1998

Phytochromes and photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis.

Plants have evolved exquisite sensory systems for monitoring their light environment. The intensity, quality, direction and duration of light are continuously monitored by the plant and the information gained is used to modulate all aspects of plant development. Several classes of distinct photoreceptors, sensitive to different regions of the light spectrum, mediate the developmental responses of plants to light signals. The red-far-red light-absorbing, reversibly photochromic phytochromes are perhaps the best characterized of these. Higher plants possess a family of phytochromes, the apoproteins of which are encoded by a small, divergent gene family. Arabidopsis has five apophytochrome-encoding genes, PHYA-PHYE. Different phytochromes have discrete biochemical and physiological properties, are differentially expressed and are involved in the perception of different light signals. Photoreceptor and signal transduction mutants of Arabidopsis are proving to be valuable tools in the molecular dissection of photomorphogenesis. Mutants deficient in four of the five phytochromes have now been isolated. Their analysis indicates considerable overlap in the physiological functions of different phytochromes. In addition, mutants defining components acting downstream of the phytochromes have provided evidence that different members of the family use different signalling pathways.

Arabidopsis↗