Genetic control of chlorophyll metabolism

Abstract

Chlorophylls (Chl) are unique tetrapyrrole molecules, essential not only for photosynthesizing organisms but for the whole Biosphere. Chlorophyll biosynthesis is closely connected with plant cell morphogenesis and photosynthetic reactions - storage and transferring of light energy. Pigment mutants of plant and microorganisms are successfully used for investigation of Chl biosynthesis and degradation pathways. The genetic approaches appeared to be very productive for identification of the genes, encoding the enzymes of Chl metabolism and for elucidation of the mechanisms there regulating. History, recent findings and evolution of genetic determination of Chl formation processes are presented in this review.

Keywords

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / chlorophylls / genetics of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Chekunova E.M.