Cryptochrome genes modulate global transcriptome of tomato

Light is an essential and variable environmental factor that governs plant growth and development. Light signals are perceived by at least four distinct families of photoreceptors: the red (R)/far-red (FR) light sensing phytochromes (PHYs) and the UV-A blue light sensing cryptochromes (CRYs), phototropins and zeitlupes. Day/night and temperature cycles, as well as other cycling environmental parameters, are highly important to most organisms. Light signaling pathways and circadian control are interconnected processes, with photoreceptors involved in entrainment of the clock, and the clock involved in the regulation of photoreceptor genes. In this article a review is presented on the functional studies elucidating the role of cryptochromes in mediating light-regulated gene expression in plants. DNA microarrays and tomato transcriptomic analysis showed that cryptochromes influence the diurnal global transcription profiles in tomato and are involved in hormone-photoreceptor crosstalk. © 2013 Woodhead Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.