Phototropins: a new family of flavin-binding blue light receptors in plants

Briggs, W.R., Christie, J.M. and Salomon, M. (2001) Phototropins: a new family of flavin-binding blue light receptors in plants. Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, 3(5), pp. 775-788. (doi: 10.1089/15230860152664975)

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Abstract

Phototropin is the designation originally assigned to a recently characterized chromoprotein that serves as a photoreceptor for phototropism. Phototropin is a light-activated autophosphorylating serine/threonine kinase that binds two flavin mononucleotide (FMN) molecules that function as blue light-absorbing chromophores. Each FMN molecule is bound in a rigid binding pocket within specialized PAS (PER-ARNT-SIM superfamily) domains, known as LOV (light, oxygen, or voltage) domains. This article reviews the detailed photobiological and biochemical characterization of the light-activated phosphorylation reaction of phototropin and follows the sequence of events leading to the cloning, sequencing, and characterization of the gene and the subsequent biochemical characterization of its encoded protein. It then considers recent biochemical and photochemical evidence that light activation of phototropin involves the formation of a cysteinyl adduct at the C(4a) position of the FMN chromophores. Adduct formation causes a major conformational change in the chromophores and a possible conformational change in the protein moiety as well. The review concludes with a brief discussion of the evidence for a second phototropin-like protein in <i>Arabidopsis</i> and rice. Possible roles for this photoreceptor are discussed.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Christie, Professor John
Authors: Briggs, W.R., Christie, J.M., and Salomon, M.
Subjects:Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Q Science > QK Botany
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:Antioxidants and Redox Signaling
Publisher:Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers
ISSN:1523-0864
ISSN (Online):1557-7716
Published Online:05 July 2004

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