title: Let there be light: regulation of gene expression in plants.
abstract: Gene expression regulation relies on a variety of molecular mechanisms affecting different steps of a messenger RNA (mRNA) life: transcription, processing, splicing, alternative splicing, transport, translation, storage and decay. Light induces massive reprogramming of gene expression in plants. Differences in alternative splicing patterns in response to environmental stimuli suggest that alternative splicing plays an important role in plant adaptation to changing life conditions. In a recent publication, our laboratories showed that light regulates alternative splicing of a subset of Arabidopsis genes encoding proteins involved in RNA processing by chloroplast retrograde signals. The light effect on alternative splicing is also observed in roots when the communication with the photosynthetic tissues is not interrupted, suggesting that a signaling molecule travels through the plant. These results point at alternative splicing regulation by retrograde signals as an important mechanism for plant adaptation to their environment.
authors.affiliation: a Max F. Perutz Laboratories ; Medical University of Vienna ; Vienna , Austria.
authors.forename: Ezequiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petrillo
authors.forename: Micaela A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Godoy Herz
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barta
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalyna
authors.forename: Alberto R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kornblihtt
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D008027:Light; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins
keywords: DBMIB, 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-benzoquinone; DCMU, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea; PQ, plastoquinone; PS, photosystem; Pol II, RNA polymerase II; RNA; ROS, reactive oxygen species; alternative splicing; chloroplast; light; mRNA, messenger RNA; photoreceptors; retrograde signaling