title: Cyclic nucleotides.
abstract: The natural occurrence of cyclic nucleotides in higher plants, formerly a topic of fierce debate, is now established, as is the presence of nucleotidyl cyclases and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases capable of their synthesis and breakdown. Here we describe the significant properties of cyclic nucleotides, also outlining their second messenger functions and the history of plant cyclic nucleotide research over its first three decades. Findings of the last five years are detailed within the context of the functional role of cyclic nucleotides in higher plants, with particular emphasis upon nucleotidyl cyclases and cyclic nucleotide-responsive protein kinases, -binding proteins and -gated ion channels, with future objectives and strategies discussed.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Group, School of Biological Sciences, Wallace Building, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK. r.p.newton@swansea.ac.uk
authors.forename: Russell P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D009712:Nucleotides, Cyclic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D009712:Nucleotides, Cyclic; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D006152:Cyclic GMP