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The function of trehalose biosynthesis in plants.

Astrid Wingler1

  • 1Department of Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. a.wingler@ucl.ac.uk

Phytochemistry
|June 8, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Trehalose, a sugar found in many organisms, can be synthesized by most plants but is rapidly broken down by trehalase. Inhibiting trehalase allows trehalose accumulation, suggesting its role in plant metabolism and stress response.

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Area of Science:

  • Plant Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Trehalose (alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-alpha-D-glucopyranoside) is a disaccharide functioning as an energy source and stress protectant in various organisms.
  • While primarily found in bacteria and invertebrates, trehalose synthesis was previously thought limited to a few plant species, with most plants accumulating sucrose.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the widespread potential for trehalose biosynthesis in plants.
  • To understand the reasons for low trehalose accumulation in most plant species.
  • To explore the role of trehalose and its precursor, trehalose-6-phosphate, in plant metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Gene analysis to identify trehalose biosynthesis pathways in plants like Arabidopsis and crop species.
  • Trehalase inhibition experiments in Arabidopsis to detect trehalose synthesis.
  • Metabolic analysis to observe changes induced by trehalose accumulation.

Main Results:

  • Genes for trehalose biosynthesis are widely distributed across the plant kingdom, including Arabidopsis and crop plants.
  • Inhibition of trehalase activity in Arabidopsis led to detectable trehalose synthesis.
  • Trehalose accumulation triggers metabolic changes, including storage carbohydrate accumulation.

Conclusions:

  • Most plants possess the genetic capacity to synthesize trehalose, but high trehalase activity prevents its accumulation.
  • Rapid trehalose degradation is likely a mechanism to regulate plant metabolism and prevent detrimental effects.
  • Trehalose-6-phosphate plays a significant role in regulating plant developmental and metabolic processes.

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