title: Inter-domain crosstalk in the phytochrome molecules.
abstract: Phytochromes are bifunctional photoreceptors with a two-domain structure, consisting of the N-terminal photosensory domain and the C-terminal regulatory domain. The photo-induced Pr <--> Pfr phototransformation accompanies subtle conformational changes, primarily triggered by the apoprotein-chromophore interactions in the N-terminal domain. The conformational signals are subsequently transmitted to the C-terminal domain through various inter-domain crosstalks, resulting in the interaction of the activated C-terminal domain with phytochrome interacting factors. Thus the inter-domain crosstalks play critical roles in the photoactivation of the phytochromes. Protein phosphorylation, such as that of Ser-598, is implicated in this process by inducing conformational changes and by modulating inter-domain signaling.
authors.affiliation: Kumho Life & Environmental Science Laboratory, Kwangju, 500-480, Korea.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bhoo
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010834:Phytochrome / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D010834:Phytochrome