title: beta-Glucosidases as detonators of plant chemical defense.
abstract: Some plant secondary metabolites are classified as phytoanticipins. When plant tissue in which they are present is disrupted, the phytoanticipins are bio-activated by the action of beta-glucosidases. These binary systems--two sets of components that when separated are relatively inert--provide plants with an immediate chemical defense against protruding herbivores and pathogens. This review provides an update on our knowledge of the beta-glucosidases involved in activation of the four major classes of phytoanticipins: cyanogenic glucosides, benzoxazinoid glucosides, avenacosides and glucosinolates. New aspects of the role of specific proteins that either control oligomerization of the beta-glucosidases or modulate their product specificity are discussed in an evolutionary perspective.
authors.affiliation: Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Plant Biology and The VKR Research Centre Proactive Plants, University of Copenhagen, 40 Thorvaldsensvej, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne Vinther
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Morant
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: Suzanne Michelle
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Paquette
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Pérez
authors.forename: Birger Lindberg
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bak
mesh_terms: D044602:Cellulases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D044602:Cellulases