Table 1

Generalized properties of major groups of phytochromes

Group

Organisms

Approximate MW (kDa)

Chromophore

Pr λmax (nm)

Pfr λmax (nm)


Phy

Plants and green algae

120-130

PΦB

670

730

Cph

Cyanobacteria

80-115

PCB

650

705

Bph

Eubacteria

80-100

BV

700

750

Fph

Filamentous fungi

130-205

BV

705

760


Representative values for the properties are given to illustrate fundamental differences and similarities among these groups. Only a limited number of members of each group have been directly analyzed for their chromophore specificity and spectral properties. The molecular weight (MW) ranges reflect sequences currently available in public databases.

Sharrock Genome Biology 2008 9:230   doi:10.1186/gb-2008-9-8-230