Systemic Signaling in Light Acclimation of Leaves

Plants have evolved a multitude of mechanisms that adjust photosynthetic functions in the constantly fluctuating light environment. Perception of light stress in chloroplasts initiates local and systemic acclimation processes that involve complex interactions among apoplastic, chloroplastic, and mitochondrial pathways of cellular signaling. Moreover, distinct cell types seem to comprise cell-specific metabolic programs and signaling components, which elicit strictly coordinated changes in gene expression, optimization of photosynthetic machineries, and reprogramming of metabolic pathways and developmental cascades. In this chapter, we discuss the current understanding of systemic signaling in light acclimation in plants.