How Sugars Might Coordinate Chloroplast and Nuclear Gene Expression during Acclimation to High Light Intensities

• Published in: Molecular plant 2014-07, Vol.7 (7), p.1121-1137
• Main Authors: Häusler, Rainer E., Heinrichs, Luisa, Schmitz, Jessica, Flügge, Ulf-Ingo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acclimation; Acclimatization - genetics; Acclimatization - radiation effects; Arabidopsis; assimilate allocation/partitioning; carbohydrate metabolism; Carbohydrate Metabolism - radiation effects; Cell Nucleus - genetics; Cell Nucleus - radiation effects; Chloroplasts - genetics; Chloroplasts - radiation effects; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant - radiation effects; Light; membrane proteins; molecular physiology; physiological; Plants - genetics; Plants - metabolism; Plants - radiation effects; 信号传导途径; 信号途径; 光合作用; 光强度; 叶绿体; 基因表达; 糖; 驯化
• ISSN: 1674-2052; 1752-9867
• DOI: 10.1093/mp/ssu064

The concept of retrograde control of nuclear gene expression assumes the generation of signals inside the chloroplasts, which are either released from or sensed inside of the organelle. In both cases, downstream signaling path- ways lead eventually to a differential regulation of nuclear gene expression and the production of proteins required in the chloroplast. This concept appears reasonable as the majority of the over 3000 predicted plastidial proteins are encoded by nuclear genes. Hence, the nucleus needs information on the status of the chloroplasts, such as during acclimation responses, which trigger massive changes in the protein composition of the thylakoid membrane and in the stroma. Here, we propose an additional control mechanism of nuclear- and plastome-encoded photosynthesis genes, taking advantage of pathways involved in sugar- or hormonal signaling. Sugars are major end products of photosynthesis and their con- tents respond very sensitively to changes in light intensities. Based on recent findings, we ask the question as to whether the carbohydrate status outside the chloroplast can be directly sensed within the chloroplast stroma. Sugars might syn- chronize the responsiveness of both genomes and thereby help to coordinate the expression of piastome- and nuclear- encoded photosynthesis genes in concert with other, more specific retrograde signals.