title: The phytoalexins from cultivated and wild crucifers: chemistry and biology.
abstract: Phytoalexins are antimicrobial secondary metabolites produced de novo by plants in response to stress, including microbial attack. In general, phytoalexins are important components of plant defenses against fungal and bacterial pathogens. The phytoalexins of crucifers are indole alkaloids derived from (S)-tryptophan, most of which contain a sulfur atom derived from cysteine. Beside their antimicrobial activity against different plant pathogenic species, cruciferous phytoalexins have shown anticarcinogenic effects on various human cell lines. This review focuses on the phytoalexins produced by cruciferous plants reported to date, with particular emphasis on their chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, metabolism by plant fungal pathogens and biological activities. A summary table containing all phytoalexins, their cultivated and wild cruciferous sources, their synthetic starting materials, biotransformation products and biological activities is provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, 110 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C9, Canada. s.pedras@usask.ca
authors.forename: M Soledade C
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pedras
authors.forename: Estifanos E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Yaya
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Glawischnig
mesh_terms: D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D026121:Indole Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000094162:Phytoalexins
chemical_list: D026121:Indole Alkaloids; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000094162:Phytoalexins