Light-regulated stomatal aperture in Arabidopsis

Mol Plant. 2012 May;5(3):566-72. doi: 10.1093/mp/sss039. Epub 2012 Apr 19.

Abstract

The stomatal pores of plant leaves, situated in the epidermis and surrounded by a pair of guard cells, allow CO2 uptake for photosynthesis and water loss through transpiration. Blue light is one of the dominant environmental signals that control stomatal movements in leaves of plants in a natural environment. This blue light response is mediated by blue/UV A light-absorbing phototropins (phots) and cryptochromes (crys). Red/far-red light-absorbing phytochromes (phys) also play a role in the control of stomatal aperture. The signaling components that link the perception of light signals to the stomatal opening response are largely unknown. This review discusses a few newly discovered nuclear genes, their function with respect to the phot-, cry-, and phy-mediated signal transduction cascades, and possible involvement of circadian clock.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arabidopsis / physiology*
  • Arabidopsis / radiation effects*
  • Arabidopsis Proteins / metabolism
  • Cryptochromes / metabolism
  • Light*
  • Models, Biological
  • Plant Stomata / physiology*
  • Plant Stomata / radiation effects*

Substances

  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Cryptochromes