Vitamin B6: Killing two birds with one stone?
Vitamin B6 comprises a group of compounds that are involved in a surprisingly high diversity of biochemical reactions. Actually, most of these reactions are co-catalyzed by a single B6 vitamer, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, making it a crucial and versatile co-factor in many metabolic processes in the cell. In addition, it has been demonstrated in recent years that vitamin B6 has a second important function by being an effective antioxidant. Because of these two characteristics the vitamin is an interesting compound to study in plants. This review provides a brief overview and update on such important aspects like vitamin B6-dependent enzymes and known biosynthetic pathways in plants, phenotypes of plant mutants affected in vitamin B6 biosynthesis, and the potential benefits of modifying vitamin B6 content in plants.
Mooney
Sutton
S
Washington State University, Pullman, Abelson Hall, WA 99164, USA.
Hellmann
Hanjo
H
D000975:Antioxidants; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D017343:Genes, Plant; D006706:Homeostasis; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D000975:Antioxidants; D004798:Enzymes; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D025101:Vitamin B 6