The light-dependent regulation of gene expression during plastid development in higher plants

In recent years there has been a considerable increase in our understanding of the manner by which light affects gene expression during chloroplast development. In most systems that have been studied, light acts through sensitive photoreceptor molecules and quantitatively increases or represses the level of expression of specific nuclear-and plastid-encoded genes. Although the mechanisms are obscure, a picture is beginning to emerge in which the coordination of nuclear and plastid gene expression is controlled by regulatory mechanisms originating within their respective subcellular compartments. This review summarizes some of our current knowledge concerning the nature of light-regulated gene expression in higher plants and provides a prospectus for future research in this area.