From Plant Infectivity to Growth Patterns: The Role of Blue-Light Sensing in the Prokaryotic World.

ABSTRACT: Flavin-based photoreceptor proteins of the LOV (Light, Oxygen, and Voltage) and BLUF (Blue Light sensing Using Flavins) superfamilies are ubiquitous among the three life domains and are essential blue-light sensing systems, not only in plants and algae, but also in prokaryotes. Here we review their biological roles in the prokaryotic world and their evolution pathways. An unexpected large number of bacterial species possess flavin-based photosensors, amongst which are important human and plant pathogens. Still, few cases are reported where the activity of blue-light sensors could be correlated to infectivity and/or has been shown to be involved in the activation of specific genes, resulting in selective growth patterns. Metagenomics and bio-informatic analysis have only recently been initi

SUBMITTER: Losi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4844311 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature