In order to sense and respond to the fluctuating light conditions, higher plants possess several families of photoreceptors, such as phytochromes (PHYs), cryptochromes (CRYs) and phototropins. CRYs are responsible for photomorphogenesis and play a role in circadian, developmental and adaptive growth regulation of plants. In tomato (Solanumlycopersicum), CRY2 controls vegetative development, flowering time, fruit antioxidant content as well as the diurnal transcription of several other photoreceptor genes. We applied large-scale molecular approaches to identify altered transcripts and proteins in tomato wild-type (WT) versus a CRY2 overexpressing transgenic genotype, under a diurnal rhythm. Our results showed that tomato CRY2 profoundly affects both gene and protein expression in response to daily light cycle. Particularly altered molecular pathways are related to biotic/abiotic stress, photosynthesis, including components of the light and dark reactions and of starch and sucrose biosynthesis, as well as to secondary metabolism, such as phenylpropanoid, phenolic and flavonoid/anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways. One of the most interesting results is the coordinated up-regulation, in the transgenic genotype, of a consistent number of transcripts and proteins involved in photorespiration and photosynthesis. It is conceivable that light modulates the energetic metabolism of tomato through a fine CRY2-mediated transcriptional control. Plant cryptochromes (CRYs) are responsible for photomorphogenesis and play a role in circadian, developmental and adaptive growth regulation of plants. We applied, in tomato, large-scale molecular approaches to identify altered transcripts and proteins in WT vs a CRY2 overexpressing transgenic genotype, under a diurnal rhythm. We found tomato CRY2 profoundly affects both gene and protein expression in response to daily light cycle. One of the most interesting results is the coordinated upregulation, in the transgenic genotype, of a consistent number of transcripts and proteins involved in photorespiration and photosynthesis. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Export Date: 17 April 2012Source: Scopus