Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

08:37
Purification of the Sarco-Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase from Rabbit Muscle
Published on: March 21, 2025
Trehalose-6-phosphate: connecting plant metabolism and development
Jathish Ponnu1, Vanessa Wahl, Markus Schmid
1Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology Tübingen, Germany.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|May 29, 2012
Summary
Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) is a key signaling sugar in plants, regulating carbon assimilation and development. This review highlights recent discoveries on T6P
Area of Science:
- Plant Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Physiology
Background:
- Sugars serve dual roles as metabolic fuels and signaling molecules.
- Trehalose, a disaccharide, is synthesized via trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P).
- T6P is increasingly recognized for its regulatory functions in plants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding T6P's role in plants.
- To elucidate T6P's function in coordinating metabolic and developmental processes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on T6P.
- Analysis of T6P's involvement in signal transduction pathways.
- Examination of T6P's impact on plant development.
Main Results:
- T6P acts as a crucial signaling metabolite in plants.
- T6P regulates carbon assimilation and sugar status.
- T6P plays an essential role in plant development.
Conclusions:
- T6P is a vital regulator of plant physiology and development.
- Further research on T6P signaling pathways is warranted.
- Understanding T6P is key to optimizing plant growth and stress response.
Related Concept Videos
Biosynthesis of Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides such as glycogen and starch are synthesized from nucleoside diphosphate sugars, primarily uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) and adenosine diphosphate glucose (ADPG). These activated glucose donors act as key intermediates in carbohydrate metabolism and biosynthesis. UDPG primarily involves glycogen synthesis in animals and many bacteria, while ADPG plays a fundamental role in starch synthesis in plants and certain bacteria.UDPG is formed when glucose-1-phosphate reacts with...
ATP Energy Storage and Release
ATP is a highly unstable molecule. Unless quickly used to perform work, ATP spontaneously dissociates into ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi), and the free energy released during this process is lost as heat. The energy released by ATP hydrolysis is used to perform work inside the cell and depends on a strategy called energy coupling. Cells couple the exergonic reaction of ATP hydrolysis with endergonic reactions, allowing them to proceed.
One example of energy coupling using ATP involves a...
One example of energy coupling using ATP involves a...
Other Glycolytic Pathways
The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) operates in parallel with glycolysis, facilitating the metabolism of both pentoses and glucose. This pathway consists of two distinct phases: the oxidative and non-oxidative phases. While it does not directly generate ATP, the intermediates formed during the process can integrate into glycolysis, contributing to cellular energy metabolism when required.Oxidative Phase: NADPH ProductionThe oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway is primarily...
Phloem and Sugar Transport
Like many living organisms, plants have tissues that specialize in specific plant functions. For example, shoots are well adapted to rapid growth, while roots are structured to acquire resources efficiently. However, sugar production is primarily restricted to the photosynthetic cells that reside in the leaves of angiosperm plants. Sugar and other resources are transported from photosynthetic tissues to other specialized tissues by a process called translocation.
Overview of Metabolism
Living cells constantly carry out various chemical reactions which are necessary for their proper functioning. These reactions are interlinked to one another via multiple pathways. The collection of these chemical reactions is known as metabolism.
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
C4 Pathway and CAM
Most plants use the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. However, some plants, such as sugar cane, corn, and cacti that grow in hot conditions, use alternative pathways to fix carbon and conserve energy loss due to photorespiration. Photorespiration is the process that occurs when the oxygen concentration is high. Under such conditions, the rubisco enzyme in the Calvin cycle binds O2 instead of CO2, which halts photosynthesis and consumes energy.
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...

