Reference "Folate biosynthesis, turnover, and transport in plants"

Reference ID

54983

Title

Folate biosynthesis, turnover, and transport in plants

Source

Annu Rev Plant Biol, 2011, vol. 62, pp. 105-125

Authors (2)

Hanson-A-D

Gregory-J-F-3rd

Abstract

Folates are essential cofactors for one-carbon transfer reactions and are needed
in the diets of humans and animals. Because plants are major sources of dietary
folate, plant folate biochemistry has long been of interest but progressed
slowly until the genome era. Since then, genome-enabled approaches have brought
rapid advances: We now know (a) all the plant folate synthesis genes and some
genes of folate turnover and transport, (b) certain mechanisms governing folate
synthesis, and (c) the subcellular locations of folate synthesis enzymes and of
folates themselves. Some of this knowledge has been applied, simply and
successfully, to engineer folate-enriched food crops (i.e., biofortification).
Much remains to be discovered about folates, however, particularly in relation
to homeostasis, catabolism, membrane transport, and vacuolar storage.
Understanding these processes, which will require both biochemical and -omics
research, should lead to improved biofortification strategies based on
transgenic or conventional approaches.