Chloroplasts are key players to cope with light and temperature stress

Under natural environmental conditions, changes in light intensity and temperature are closely interwoven, and of all organelles, only chloroplasts react strongly upon alterations of these two parameters. We review increasing evidence indicating that changes in chloroplast metabolism are critical for the comprehensive cellular answer in a challenging environment. This cellular answer starts with rapid modifications of thylakoid-located processes, followed by modifications in the stroma and transport activities across the chloroplast envelope. We propose that the 'modulators' involved contribute to plant stress tolerance and that deciphering of their characteristics is essential to understand 'acclimation'. Especially in times of climatic changes, we must gain knowledge on physiological reactions that might become instrumental for directed breeding strategies aiming to develop stress-tolerant crop plants.

Automated summary

Changes in chloroplast metabolism play a critical role in the comprehensive cellular response to challenging environments, starting with rapid modifications of processes in the thylakoid membrane, followed by changes in the stroma and transport activities across the chloroplast envelope. Understanding the characteristics of the 'modulators' involved is essential for enhancing plant stress tolerance and developing targeted breeding strategies.