Abstract
• Background and Aims: l-Ascorbate (vitamin C) has well-documented roles in many aspects of redox control and anti-oxidant activity in plant cells. This Botanical Briefing highlights recent developments in another aspect of l-ascorbate metabolism: its function as a precursor for specific processes in the biosynthesis of organic acids. • Scope: The Briefing provides a summary of recent advances in our understanding of l-ascorbate metabolism, covering biosynthesis, translocation and functional aspects. The role of l-ascorbate as a biosynthetic precursor in the formation of oxalic acid, l-threonic acid and l-tartaric acid is described, and progress in elaborating the mechanisms of the formation of these acids is reviewed. The potential conflict between the two roles of l-ascorbate in plant cells, functional and biosynthetic, is highlighted. • Conclusions: Recent advances in the understanding of l-ascorbate catabolism and the formation of oxalic and l-tartaric acids provide compelling evidence for a major role of l-ascorbate in plant metabolism. Combined experimental approaches, using classic biochemical and emerging 'omics' technologies, have provided recent insight to previously under-investigated areas.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3-8 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Annals of Botany |
Volume | 99 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2007 |
Keywords
- Ascorbate
- Grapes
- Metabolism
- Oxalate
- Tartrate
- Vitis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Plant Science