Singlet oxygen signaling links photosynthesis to translation and plant growth

Translation is a major target of metabolic and growth control in animals and plants. Changes in the phosphorylation status of ribosomal protein S6 are responsible for rapid adjustments in the growth pattern of higher plants in response to changes in the environment. In this review, we illuminate some common and unique aspects of translational control in animals and plants and discuss recent studies that link photosynthesis to growth via specific signal transduction cascades, one of which relies on singlet oxygen and the plant growth regulator jasmonic acid (JA). It is the aim of this review to discuss the role of the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling network in plants and what mechanisms could contribute to growth control in response to the changing environment.