Photosensing fungi: phytochrome in the spotlight.

Abstract

Red light triggers asexual development and represses sexual development in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans. This response has been shown to require a phytochrome red/far-red light photoreceptor, FphA, which is cytoplasmic and binds a tetrapyrrole chromophore. FphA exhibits similarities to both plant and bacterial phytochromes.