Photoreceptors controlling movements in flagellate algae

Abstract

Primary action of photomovement in flagellate alga should be triggered by photoreceptor. Some algal photoreceptors are still unknown in the molecular level. Here I review the processes of finding for a couple of well-researched photoreceptors such as channelrhodopsins (ChR) in Chlamydomonas and photoactivated adenylyl cyclase (PAC) in Euglena. On the other hand, it has been reported that “light-antenna” structure plays a role in directional sensing of incident light. Despite the wide variety of flagellates, remarkable similarity can be found in the light-antenna structures. Here I also discuss the similarity of the light-antenna structures of Euglenophyta, Chlorophyta and Heterokonts.