Expression Analysis of Transcription Factors Involved in Chloroplast Differentiation

Previous studies showed that at least two transcription factors, HY5 and GLK2, were involved in the co-expression network of key chlorophyll and photosynthesis genes, but they were not sufficient for fully functional photosystem assembly. To explore the transcriptional mechanism, here genes encoding nuclear transcription factors were identified, which were induced in greenish roots of Arabidopsis. Further expression analysis suggested that the expression of these factors was independent from HY5– and GLK–dependent signaling pathways. To clarify the gene expression network, further analysis of such transcription factors involved in chloroplast differentiation will be necessary.