Characterization of Lines Identified in a Genetic Screen for Genes Involved in Red Light Responses in the Model Plant Arabidopsis Thaliana

Abstract

A plant's ability to assess light quantity and quality is fundamental to maintaining healthy growth. We have found that that two highly similar genes LIGHT RESPONSE BTB1 (LRB1) and LIGHT RESPONSE BTB2 (LRB2) act as negative regulators of phymediated red light-responses in Arabidopsis (Christians et al., 2012). In order to identify the component(s) of the red light signaling pathway that the LRBs are regulating (or other actors in the pathway) we have conducted a genetic suppressor/enhancer screen, identifying mutations which relieve or increase red light inhibition of hypocotyl elongation in the lrb1/lrb2 red hypersensitive double mutants. Here we describe this screen and characterization of these mutants.