Chlorophyll Biosynthesis and Chloroplast Development in Higher Plants
Summary
Chlorophyll biosynthesis in higher plants proceeds via the tetrapyrrole pathway, beginning with glutamate and culminating in the formation of chlorophyll a and b. Key enzymatic steps include the synthesis of δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), the insertion of magnesium into protoporphyrin IX by Mg-chelatase, and the reduction of protochlorophyllide by protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase. Biosynthesis is tightly regulated by light, developmental signals and nitrogen status, ensuring synchrony with chloroplast biogenesis. Chloroplast development involves the differentiation of proplastids into mature organelles, assembly of thylakoid membranes, integration of nuclear-encoded proteins via the TOC/TIC translocon system and establishment of photosystems I and II. Retrograde signalling from chloroplasts modulates nuclear gene expression to coordinate organellar and cellular needs. Together, these processes underpin photosynthetic performance, stress resilience and crop yield, and are the focus of contemporary efforts in breeding and bioengineering to enhance agricultural productivity and climate adaptation.
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Chlorophyll Biosynthesis and Chloroplast Development in Higher Plants publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in chlorophyll biosynthesis and chloroplast development in higher plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Chlorophyll: A green pigment comprising a tetrapyrrole ring bound to a central magnesium ion, essential for light absorption in photosynthesis.
Chloroplast: A plant organelle derived from cyanobacterial endosymbionts, containing internal thylakoid membranes where the light reactions of photosynthesis occur.
Tetrapyrrole: A four-ring organic compound forming the core of chlorophyll and related pigments, synthesised through a conserved biosynthetic pathway.
Mg-chelatase: A multi-subunit enzyme that catalyses the insertion of magnesium into protoporphyrin IX, a key committed step in chlorophyll biosynthesis.
Protochlorophyllide Oxidoreductase (POR): A light-dependent enzyme that reduces protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide, enabling the final stages of chlorophyll formation.
References
- A multi-omics approach identifies bHLH71-like as a positive regulator of yellowing leaf pepper mutants exposed to high-intensity light. Horticulture Research (2023).
- Chlorophyll biosynthesis under the control of arginine metabolism. Cell Reports (2023).
- Effect of Low Temperature on Chlorophyll Biosynthesis and Chloroplast Biogenesis of Rice Seedlings during Greening. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2020).
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