Article
Article
Phototropin
Article By:
Christie, John M. Plant Science Group, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Last reviewed:January 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.900142
A plant photoreceptor specifically receptive to UV-A/blue light. Growth and development of plants are dependent on sunlight. Consequently, plants have evolved a sophisticated array of photoreceptor systems to control their growth. Phototropins are plant photoreceptors that are activated specifically in response to UV-A/blue light (320–500 nanometers) [UV-A is one of the types of ultraviolet radiation produced by the Sun, in the wavelength range of 320–400 nm; blue light has an approximate wavelength range of 400–500 nm]. They control a range of responses concerned with optimizing the photosynthetic efficiency of plants, thereby promoting their growth, particularly under weak light conditions. See also: Photomorphogenesis; Photosynthesis; Plant development; Plant growth; Plant physiology; Ultraviolet radiation
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