title: Metabolism and ecology of purine alkaloids.
abstract: In this review, the biosynthesis, catabolism, ecological significance, and modes of action of purine alkaloids particularly, caffeine, theobromine and theophylline in plants are discussed. In the biosynthesis of caffeine, progress has been made in enzymology, the amino acid sequence of the enzymes, and in the genes encoding N-methyltransferases. In addition, caffeine-deficient plants have been produced. The ecology of purine alkaloids has not proved to be particularly promising. However, advances have been made in insecticidal and allelopathic fields, and in the role of microorganisms play in the changes that these compounds undergo in the soil. Caffeine inhibits cell plate formation during telophase throughout the development of coffee plants and other species.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecologia Funcional, Instituto de Ecologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, DF 04510, Mexico. alanaya@miranda.ecologia.unam.mx
authors.forename: Ana Luisa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Anaya
authors.forename: Rocio
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cruz-Ortega
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Waller
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003069:Coffee / Q000737:chemistry; D004463:Ecology; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D011687:Purines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003069:Coffee; D011687:Purines; D002110:Caffeine