Measuring Phytochrome-Dependent Light Input to the Plant Circadian Clock

Abstract

The circadian clock allows plants to synchronize their internal processes with the external environment. This synchronization occurs through daily cues, one of which is light. Phytochromes are well established as light-sensing proteins and have been identified in forming multiple signaling networks with the central circadian oscillator. However, the precise details of how these networks are formed are yet to be established. Using established promoter-luciferase lines for clock genes crossed into mutant lines, it is possible to use luciferase-based imaging technologies to determine whether specific proteins are involved in phytochrome signaling to the circadian oscillator. The methods presented here use two automated methods of luciferase imaging in Arabidopsis to allow for high-throughput measurement of circadian clock components under a range of different light conditions.