Chloroplast and nuclear photorelocation movements

Proc Jpn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci. 2016;92(9):387-411. doi: 10.2183/pjab.92.387.

Abstract

Chloroplasts move toward weak light to increase photosynthetic efficiency, and migrate away from strong light to protect chloroplasts from photodamage and eventual cell death. These chloroplast behaviors were first observed more than 100 years ago, but the underlying mechanism has only recently been identified. Ideal plant materials, such as fern gametophytes for photobiological and cell biological approaches, and Arabidopsis thaliana for genetic analyses, have been used along with sophisticated methods, such as partial cell irradiation and time-lapse video recording under infrared light to study chloroplast movement. These studies have revealed precise chloroplast behavior, and identified photoreceptors, other relevant protein components, and novel actin filament structures required for chloroplast movement. In this review, our findings regarding chloroplast and nuclear movements are described.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / radiation effects*
  • Chloroplasts / metabolism*
  • Chloroplasts / radiation effects*
  • Light*
  • Movement / radiation effects
  • Photoreceptors, Plant / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / radiation effects

Substances

  • Photoreceptors, Plant