Genetic Dissection of Chloroplast Biogenesis and Development: An Overview

The chloroplast is essential for photosynthesis and the production of hormones and metabolites. As a consequence its biogenesis and development needs to be coordinated with seedling growth to ensure optimal rates of photosynthesis without oxidative damage upon seedling emergence. Studies into the processes of biogenesis and development of chloroplasts have shown how important chloroplast development during germination is for plant vitality, seed set and growth. Indeed, even if chloroplast development is only impaired in cotyledons, the embryonic leaves of germinating seedlings, with normal chloroplast development in true leaves plant growth and yield can be negatively impacted. Thus, it is necessary to understand the regulation and mechanism of chloroplast development to be able to further investigate on plant vitality for improving plants. This review will concentrate on how chloroplasts differentiate giving emphasis to current insights into the regulatory factors and molecular requirements for chloroplast biogenesis and development gained from genetic and mutagenic studies.