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Phytoalexins, Chemical Defense Substances of Higher Plants?
Author(s) -
Grisebach Hans,
Ebel Jürgen
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition in english
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 0570-0833
DOI - 10.1002/anie.197806351
Subject(s) - phytoalexin , elicitor , phytophthora megasperma , terpenoid , mycelium , fungus , biosynthesis , antimicrobial , sesquiterpene , chemistry , microorganism , botany , biology , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , bacteria , genetics , resveratrol
Phytoalexins are defense substances with antimicrobial properties which are produced by plants after infection. They include various groups of natural substances ( e.g. isoflavonoids, terpenoids, polyacetylenes and dihydrophenanthrenes). Induction of phytoalexin formation can be caused not only by living microorganisms but also by products of microbial origin (elicitors) or by stress treatment (cold, UV light). The elicitor from the mycelial walls of the fungus Phytophthora megasperma var. sojae (Pms) is a β‐1,3‐glucan with branches at C‐6. In some cases the basic features of the biosynthesis of the phytoalexins are known. The activity of the enzymes involved in phytoalexin biosynthesis is increased by the action of the elicitor on plant tissues. The ability of some microorganisms to chemically modify the phytoalexins may be related to their pathogenicity. The role of phytoalexins as defense substances is not yet fully clear.