Control of chlorophyll a synthesis by phytochrome and cryptochrome in the red alga Corallina elongata Ellis et Soland

Abstract

Chlorophyll a synthesis in the red alga Corallina elongata is controlled by phytochrome and by a specific blue light photoreceptor.Although the estimated photoequilibrium of phytochrome is similar in blue and red light, the amount of chlorophyll accumulated is greater in blue light, which implies the action of cryptochrome, according to the criteria for the specific blue light photoreceptor involvement.The amount of chlorophyll synthesized is greater when the level of photoequilibrium approaches 65% (in blue and red light) than with higher levels (72.7% in white light and 70.8% in green light).The action of phytochrome is demonstrated by the induction of chlorophyll synthesis after red pulses and the reversion after far red pulses.The reversion is not complete but the percentage of reversibility is high (85-090%).The amount of chlorophyll accumulated is greater in darkness after the application of red light pulses than in white light after the same light pulses.The induction of chlorophyll synthesis is greater after red pulses than after continuous red light.The existence of a fast destruction of chlorophyll in continuous light is observed.This destruction is greater in the high photoequilibrium of phytochrome (70-72%).The turnover times and the induction mechanism of chlorophyll synthesis must be very fast.This indicates the existence of a possible rapid adaptation to the change in light quality and intensity in the marine system.