The role of phytochrome in the de-etiolation ("greening") response.

  • Reception: Light activates a receptor molecule, a pigment called phytochrome.
  • Transduction: the phytochrome produces cGMP as a second messenger that activates a protein kinase; the phytochrome also increases flow of Ca^2+ into the cytoplasm and activate another protein kinase.
  • Response: both pathways lead to expression of genes to produce proteins that function in the de-etiolation ("greening") response.