Regulation of the tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway leading to heme and chlorophyll in plants and cyanobacteria.
Photosynthetic organisms synthesize chlorophylls, hemes, and bilin pigments via a common tetrapyrrole biosynthetic pathway. This review summarizes current knowledge about the regulation of this pathway in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Particular emphasis is placed on the regulation of glutamate-1-semialdehyde formation and on the channelling of protoporphyrin IX into the heme and chlorophyll branches. The potential role of chlorophyll molecules that are not bound to photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes ('free chlorophylls') or of other Mg-containing porphyrins in regulation of tetrapyrrole synthesis is also discussed.
Vavilin
Dmitrii V
DV
Department of Plant Biology and Center for the Study of Early Events in Photosynthesis, Arizona State University, Box 871601, Tempe, AZ 85287-1601, USA.
Vermaas
Wim F. J
WF