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A mutation in the Arabidopsis DET3 gene uncouples photoregulated leaf development from gene expression and chloroplast biogenesis
Author(s) -
Cabrera y Poch Héctor L.,
Peto Charles A.,
Chory Joanne
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
the plant journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.058
H-Index - 269
eISSN - 1365-313X
pISSN - 0960-7412
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-313x.1993.04040671.x
Subject(s) - arabidopsis , mutant , etiolation , chloroplast , biology , arabidopsis thaliana , photomorphogenesis , phytochrome , gene , biogenesis , phenotype , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , mutation , hypocotyl , botany , biochemistry , red light , enzyme
The genetic and phenotypic characterization of a new Arabidopsis mutant, de‐etiolated ‐3, ( det 3), involved in light‐regulated seedling development is described. A recessive mutation in the DET 3 gene uncouples light signals from a subset of light‐dependent processes. The det 3 mutation causes dark‐grown Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings to have short hypocotyls, expanded cotyledons, and differentiated leaves, traits characteristic of light‐grown seedlings. Despite these morphological changes, however, the det 3 mutant does not develop chloroplasts or show elevated expression of nuclear‐ and chloroplast‐encoded light‐regulated mRNAs. The det 3 mutation thus uncovers a downstream branch of the light transduction pathways that separates leaf development from chloroplast differentiation and light‐regulated gene expression. In addition, light‐grown det 3 plants have reduced stature and apical dominance, suggesting that DET3 functions during growth in normal light conditions as well. The genetic interactions between mutations in det 1, det 2, and det 3 are described. The phenotypes of doubly mutant strains suggest that there are at least two parallel pathways controlling light‐mediated development in Arabidopsis .