An overview of chloroplast biogenesis and development

During evolution plants have incorporated chloroplasts into their cells. Within the chloroplast energy is produced during photosynthesis but also hormones and metabolites essential for plant metabolism. As a consequence, chloroplast biogenesis and development needs to be coordinated with seedling growth to ensure optimal rates of photosynthesis without causing oxidative damage upon seedling emergence. The importance of chloroplast development during germination for plant vitality, seed set and growth was shown in numerous studies. Thus, it is necessary to understand the regulation and mechanism of chloroplast development. This chapter will focus on how chloroplasts are formed with emphasis on recent findings about proteins and processes required for chloroplast development as well as into regulatory and molecular factors for chloroplast biogenesis and development gained from genetic studies.