title: Regulation and function of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in plants and algae.
abstract: Tetrapyrroles are macrocyclic molecules with various structural variants and multiple functions in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes. Present knowledge about the metabolism of tetrapyrroles reflects the complex evolution of the pathway in different kingdoms of organisms, the complexity of structural and enzymatic variations of enzymatic steps, as well as a wide range of regulatory mechanisms, which ensure adequate synthesis of tetrapyrrole end-products at any time of development and environmental condition. This review intends to highlight new findings of research on tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in plants and algae. In the course of the heme and chlorophyll synthesis in these photosynthetic organisms, glutamate, one of the central and abundant metabolites, is converted into highly photoreactive tetrapyrrole intermediates. Thereby, several mechanisms of posttranslational control are thought to be essential for a tight regulation of each enzymatic step. Finally, we wish to discuss the potential role of tetrapyrroles in retrograde signaling and point out perspectives of the formation of macromolecular protein complexes in tetrapyrrole biosynthesis as an efficient mechanism to ensure a fine-tuned metabolic flow in the pathway. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chloroplast Biogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology/Plant Physiology, Humboldt University Berlin, Philippstr.13, Building 12, D 10115 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brzezowski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology/Plant Physiology, Humboldt University Berlin, Philippstr.13, Building 12, D 10115 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology/Plant Physiology, Humboldt University Berlin, Philippstr.13, Building 12, D 10115 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: bernhard.grimm@rz.hu-berlin.de.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grimm
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010788:Photosynthesis; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D045725:Tetrapyrroles / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013879:Thioredoxins / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D045725:Tetrapyrroles; D006418:Heme; D013879:Thioredoxins
keywords: Tetrapyrrole biosynthesis; photosynthetic pigments; plastid and thylkoid biogenesis; posttranslational control; primary metabolism and photosynthesis; retrograde signaling