Response of the Maize Catalases to Light

The three maize catalase genes respond differentially to light signals. Expression of Cat1 is light independent while expression of Cat2 and Cat3 is light responsive. Upon exposure to light there is rapid accumulation of CAT-2 protein in leaves, due to both increased transcript accumulation and increased translation of the Cat2 message. Short UV light pulses also cause a strong transient induction of Cat2 gene expression, while long term exposure to UV does not affect the rate of Cat2 transcription. The Cat3 gene of maize exhibits a transcriptionally regulated circadian rhythm. The induction of the Cat3 circadian expression in etiolated leaves is probably regulated by a very low fluence phytochrome response; the involvement of a blue light/UV-A and a UV-B photoreceptor is also possible. Regulatory elements located on the Cat3 promoter have recently been identified and their significance in the complex light response of the gene is being investigated. Possible physiological role(s) of the light responding maize catalases Cat2 and Cat3 are discussed.