SA synthesis: For the defence

Salicylic acid (SA) is an important signalling molecule involved in disease resistance in plants. Plants were thought to synthesize SA from phenylalanine, but several lines of evidence suggested that another mechanism was involved. With the availability of the Arabidopsis genome sequence, a pathway previously known only in bacteria has been identified as the principal route for SA synthesis. This will make it possible to use the latest genetic techniques to dissect the precise role of SA in plant defence and possibly engineer more robust crops.

Isochorismate synthase is required to synthesize salicylic acid for plant defence
MARY C. WILDERMUTH, JULIA DEWDNEY, GANG WU & FREDERICK M. AUSUBEL
Nature 414, 562-565 (29 November 2001)
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29 November 2001 table of contents