title: Recent developments in the field of plant steroid hormones.
abstract: Brassinolide and related brassinosteroids are a novel group of steroids which appear to be ubiquitous in plants. There is compelling evidence, particularly from recent genetic studies, that these steroids are essential for normal plant growth and development. Synthesis of brassinosteroids and aspects of their biochemistry are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0506, USA. tmcmorris@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: McMorris
mesh_terms: D060406:Brassinosteroids; D002777:Cholestanols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D002778:Cholestanones / Q000494:pharmacology; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D015394:Molecular Structure; D063245:Plant Development; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D013260:Steroids, Heterocyclic / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D060406:Brassinosteroids; D002777:Cholestanols; D002778:Cholestanones; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D013260:Steroids, Heterocyclic; C070163:homobrassinolide; C023623:brassinolide