title: Biosynthesis, structural, and functional attributes of tocopherols in planta; past, present, and future perspectives.
abstract: Tocopherols are lipophilic molecules, ubiquitously synthesized in all photosynthetic organisms. Being a group of vitamin E compounds, they play an essential role in human nutrition and health. Despite their structural and functional attributes as important antioxidants in plants, it would be misleading to ignore the potential roles of tocopherols beyond their antioxidant properties in planta. Detailed characterization of mutants and transgenic plants, including Arabidopsis (vte1, vte2, vte4, and so on), maize (sxd1) mutants, and transgenic potato and tobacco lines altered in tocopherol biosynthesis and contents, has led to surprising outcomes regarding the additional functions of these molecules. Thus, the aim of this review is to highlight the past and present research findings on tocopherols' structural, biosynthesis, and functional properties in plants. Special emphasis is given to their suggested functions in planta, such as cell signaling, hormonal interactions, and coordinated response of tocopherols to other antioxidants under abiotic stresses. Moreover, some important questions about possible new functions of tocopherols will be discussed as future prospects to stimulate further research.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resources of Zhejiang Province, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu-Hang-Tang Road, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Nazim
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: Faiza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Irshad
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jabeen
authors.forename: Imran Haider
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Shamsi
authors.forename: Zhilan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lixi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005504:Food Analysis; D006801:Humans; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000378:metabolism; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D024505:Tocopherols