Regulation and function of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in plants and algae

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta 2015-09, Vol.1847 (9), p.968-985
• Main Authors: Brzezowski, Pawel, Richter, Andreas S., Grimm, Bernhard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Cyanobacteria - metabolism; Heme - metabolism; Molecular Sequence Data; Phosphorylation; Photosynthesis; photosynthetic pigments; Plants - metabolism; plastid and thylkoid biogenesis; posttranslational control; primary metabolism and photosynthesis; retrograde signaling; Tetrapyrrole biosynthesis; Tetrapyrroles - biosynthesis; Thioredoxins - physiology; Transcription, Genetic
• ISSN: 0005-2728; 0006-3002; 1879-2650
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2015.05.007

Tetrapyrroles are macrocyclic molecules with various structural variants and multiple functions in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. Present knowledge about the metabolism of tetrapyrroles reflects the complex evolution of the pathway in different kingdoms of organisms, the complexity of structural and enzymatic variations of enzymatic steps, as well as a wide range of regulatory mechanisms, which ensure adequate synthesis of tetrapyrrole end-products at any time of development and environmental condition. This review intends to highlight new findings of research on tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in plants and algae. In the course of the heme and chlorophyll synthesis in these photosynthetic organisms, glutamate, one of the central and abundant metabolites, is converted into highly photoreactive tetrapyrrole intermediates. Thereby, several mechanisms of posttranslational control are thought to be essential for a tight regulation of each enzymatic step. Finally, we wish to discuss the potential role of tetrapyrroles in retrograde signaling and point out perspectives of the formation of macromolecular protein complexes in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis as an efficient mechanism to ensure a fine-tuned metabolic flow in the pathway. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chloroplast Biogenesis. •Comprehensive overview on posttranslational control mechanisms in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis of plants and algae•Survey about potential impact of tetrapyrroles on retrograde signaling•Prospects on the organization of the pathway in macromolecular complexes