Phenotypic characterization of a photomorphogenic mutant.
Light is arguably the most important abiotic factor controlling plant growth and development throughout their life cycle. Plants have evolved sophisticated light-sensing mechanisms to monitor fluctuations in light quality, intensity, direction and periodicity (day length). In Arabidopsis, three families of photoreceptors have been identified by molecular genetic studies. The UV-A/blue light receptors cryptochromes and the red/far-red receptors phytochromes control an overlapping set of responses including photoperiodic flowering induction and de-etiolation. Phototropins are the primary photoreceptors for a set of specific responses to UV-A/blue light such as phototropism, chloroplast movement and stomatal opening. Mutants affecting a photoreceptor have a characteristic phenotype. It is therefore possible to determine the specific developmental responses and the photoreceptor pathway(s) affected in a mutant by performing an appropriate set of photobiological and genetic experiments. In this paper, we outline the principal and easiest experiments that can be performed to obtain a first indication about the nature of the photobiological defect in a given mutant.
Fankhauser
Christian
C
Department of Molecular Biology, 30 quai E. Ansermet, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland. christian.fankhauser@molbio.unige.ch
Casal
Jorge J
JJ
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D056931:Cryptochromes; D005420:Flavoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D010834:Phytochrome / Q000502:physiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C538962:CRY1 protein, Arabidopsis; D056931:Cryptochromes; D005420:Flavoproteins; D010834:Phytochrome