title: Autofluorescence: Biological functions and technical applications.
abstract: Chlorophylls are the most remarkable examples of fluorophores, and their fluorescence has been intensively studied as a non-invasive tool for assessment of photosynthesis. Many other fluorophores occur in plants, such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds and porphyrins. Fluorescence could be more than just a physicochemical curiosity in the plant kingdom, as several functional roles in biocommunication occur or have been proposed. Besides, fluorescence emitted by secondary metabolites can convert damaging blue and UV into wavelengths potentially useful for photosynthesis. Detection of the fluorescence of some secondary phytochemicals may be a cue for some pollinators and/or seed dispersal organisms. Independently of their functions, plant fluorophores provide researchers with a tool that allows the visualization of some metabolites in plants and cells, complementing and overcoming some of the limitations of the use of fluorescent proteins and dyes to probe plant physiology and biochemistry. Some fluorophores are influenced by environmental interactions, allowing fluorescence to be also used as a specific stress indicator.
authors.affiliation: Dpto Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Apdo. 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain. Electronic address: joseignacio.garcia@ehu.es.
authors.forename: José Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: García-Plazaola
authors.affiliation: Dpto Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Apdo. 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain; Institute of Botany and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestraße 15, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fernández-Marín
authors.affiliation: Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, USDA, ARS, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.affiliation: Dpto Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Apdo. 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Dpto Química Física, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Apdo. 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: López-Arbeloa
authors.affiliation: Dpto Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Apdo. 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Becerril
mesh_terms: D005453:Fluorescence; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena
keywords: Biocommunication; Emission; Fluorescence; Fluorophore; Green fluorescent protein