Plants utilize light not only
for photosynthesis but also for monitoring changes in environmental conditions
essential to their survival. Wavelength, intensity, direction, duration,
and other attributes of light are used by plants to predict imminent seasonal
change and to determine when to initiate physiological and developmental
alterations. Most plants detect red/far-red light and blue light through
photoreceptors: phytochromes detect red/far-red light absorption, while
there are several kinds of blue light receptors, including cryptochromes,
phototropins, and ZLP/FKF/LKP/ADO. The typical phytochrome responses known
as red/far-red photoreversible phenomena were discovered in 1952 by Borthwick
et al. and the phytochrome was characterized as a chromoprotein in 1959
by Butler et al. However, blue light receptors were not identified until
cryptochrome was detected in 1993 by Cashmore’s group. Now we are
in an exceptional period of discovery of blue light receptors such as phototropins,
ZLP/FKF/LKP/ADO, and PAC in Euglena.
 Thus, it was very timely that Yamada Science Foundation appointed me to
chair the 58th Yamada Conference on Light Sensing and Signal Transduction
in Plant Photomorphogenesis. The conference was held at Okazaki Conference
Center, June 5-9, 2004, with more than 160 people attending, including
31 speakers from 10 countries other than Japan. It was also an occasion
to celebrate the retirement of Prof. Masaki Furuya, who has contributed
substantially to this field for many years. It was an honor to dedicate
this conference to him.
This book features reviews written by conference speakers, which, while
not identical to their presentations, are short reviews of advances over
the last 5 to 10 years in fields related to their presentations. Also included
are Prof. Furuya’s History and Insight of plant photomorphogenesis,
three overviews of the main photoreceptors, and Prof. Briggs’ epilogue
to the conference. I believe this book will prove indispensable and that
it will contribute to the advancement of the study of photomorphogenesis.
I express my sincere gratitude to Yamada Science Foundation and to the
executive members of the Foundation for selecting the field of plant photomorphogenesis
for financial support, thus making it possible for us to hold such a successful
conference. Finally, I thank the members of the organizing committee and
my colleagues for their dedication to ensuring the conference went well.
Masamitsu Wada
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