UV and blue light signalling: pathways regulating chalcone synthase gene expression in Arabidopsis

UV-B, UV-A and blue light control a variety of aspects of plant development via distinct photoreceptors and signalling pathways. The known photoreceptors for UV-A/blue light are cryptochrome (cry)1 and cry2, and the phototropism photoreceptor, phototropin. Redox processes are important in cry and phototropin signal transduction. A specific photoreceptor for UV-B has not been identified and there appear to be several possible UV-B signalling pathways. We are investigating the UV and blue light regulation of transcription of the chalcone synthase gene (CHS) in Arabidopsis. Experiments with photoreceptor mutants show that distinct UV-A/blue (cry mediated) and UV-B photoreception systems control CHS expression. Experiments with an Arabidopsis cell suspension culture show that the UV-B and cry1 signalling pathways differ kinetically and pharmacologically. In contrast to some other UV-B responses, the UV-B induction of CHS does not appear to involve oxidative stress signalling. Promoter elements and candidate transcription factors that effect CHS induction have been identified. Interactions within a network of UV-B, cry and phytochrome signalling pathways regulate CHS expression. Synergistic interactions between the UV-B pathway and distinct UV-A and blue-light pathways maximize the response. In addition, specific phytochromes positively control the cry1 pathway via distinct potentiation and coaction effects, and negatively regulate the UV-B pathway.