The role of COP1 in repression of Arabidopsis photomorphogenic development

Abstract

Photomorphogenic development in Arabidopsis is regulated by the key repressor COP1, which interacts with specific transcription factors in the nucleus to modulate their activities. In the dark, COP1 accumulates in the nucleus and represses photomorphogenic development. Light diminishes the nuclear accumulation of COP1 and abrogates its repressor activity. A number of cellular components are involved in light-dependent nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of COP1, including the multisubunit COP9 complexes and at least three well-characterized photoreceptors. This review discusses current understanding of the mechanisms of COP1 action.