利用修饰光敏色素信号途径进行作物改良的可行性

介绍了模式植物拟南芥中受光敏色素调控的光形态建成机制；综述了有关禾本科植物光敏色素信号途径及其突变体与产量性状关系的相关研究进展。指出：对小麦、玉米等作物光敏色素过表达和/或功能缺失突变体的株高、开花期、避荫性反应和产量等变异进行系统研究，对其产量性状突变体进行遗传学、生物化学和分子机制进行解析，有望探索出通过修饰作物的光信号途径改良农作物的新策略。

A New Strategy for Crop Improvement Through Modification of Phytochrome Signaling Pathways

In this review, the mechanisms that phytochromes controlling of seedling photomorphogenesis in model plant Arabidopsis were introduced. The present research works on light signaling pathways, mutant discoveries and the relations with yield traits in the grasses were summarized. Overexpression and/or loss-of-function mutants of phytochromes in wheat and maize lead to significant variations in plant height, flowering time and shade avoidance responses. Genetics, biochemical and molecular analyses on these variations related to yield traits will help us develop a new strategy for crop improvement through the modification of light signalling pathways.