Post photosynthetic carbon partitioning to sugar alcohols and consequences for plant growth. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dumschott, Kathryn; Richter, Andreas; Loescher, Wayne; Merchant, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Phytochemistry. Volume 144(2017)
• Page Start: 243
• Page End: 252
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Carbon -- Metabolite -- Resilience -- Stress -- Sugar alcohols -- Yield -- Partitioning; Botanical chemistry -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Botany -- Periodicals; Chimie végétale -- Périodiques; 572.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2017.09.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-9422

Abstract

Abstract: The occurrence of sugar alcohols is ubiquitous among plants. Physiochemical properties of sugar alcohols suggest numerous primary and secondary functions in plant tissues and are often well documented. In addition to functions arising from physiochemical properties, the synthesis of sugar alcohols may have significant influence over photosynthetic, respiratory, and developmental processes owing to their function as a large sink for photosynthates. Sink strength is demonstrated by the high concentrations of sugar alcohols found in plant tissues and their ability to be readily transported. The plant scale distribution and physiochemical function of these compounds renders them strong candidates for functioning as stress metabolites. Despite this, several aspects of sugar alcohol biosynthesis and function are poorly characterised namely: 1) the quantitative characterisation of carbon flux into the sugar alcohol pool; 2) the molecular control governing sugar alcohol biosynthesis on a quantitative basis; 3) the role of sugar alcohols in plant growth and ecology; and 4) consequences of sugar alcohol synthesis for yield production and yield quality. We highlight the need to adopt new approaches to investigating sugar alcohol biosynthesis using modern technologies in gene expression, metabolic flux analysis and agronomy. Combined, these approaches will elucidate the impact of sugar alcohol biosynthesis on growth, stress tolerance, yield and yield quality. Graphical abstract: Highlights: The flux of carbon into the sugar alcohol pool is poorly quantified. The molecular mechanisms governing carbon allocation to the sugar alcohol pool are poorly characterized. Long distance transport of sugar-alcohols links primary photosynthesis to growth and ecology. Carbon allocation to sugar alcohols impacts growth, yield and yield quality.