Jasmonates: an update on biosynthesis, signal transduction and action in plant stress response, growth and development.
BACKGROUND
Jasmonates are ubiquitously occurring lipid-derived compounds with signal functions in plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses, as well as in plant growth and development. Jasmonic acid and its various metabolites are members of the oxylipin family. Many of them alter gene expression positively or negatively in a regulatory network with synergistic and antagonistic effects in relation to other plant hormones such as salicylate, auxin, ethylene and abscisic acid.


METHODS
This review summarizes biosynthesis and signal transduction of jasmonates with emphasis on new findings in relation to enzymes, their crystal structure, new compounds detected in the oxylipin and jasmonate families, and newly found functions.


CONCLUSIONS
Crystal structure of enzymes in jasmonate biosynthesis, increasing number of jasmonate metabolites and newly identified components of the jasmonate signal-transduction pathway, including specifically acting transcription factors, have led to new insights into jasmonate action, but its receptor(s) is/are still missing, in contrast to all other plant hormones.
Wasternack
C
C
Department of Natural Product Biotechnology, Leibniz-Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany. cwastern@ipb-halle.de
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D003517:Cyclopentanes / Q000378:metabolism*; D035264:Flowers / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D054883:Oxylipins / Q000378:metabolism*; D063245:Plant Development; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D035281:Plant Tubers / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D003517:Cyclopentanes; D054883:Oxylipins; D010940:Plant Proteins; C011006:jasmonic acid