Tansley Review No. 105.

Abstract

Sucrose has a central role in the metabolism of all higher plants. Here we discuss the location of sucrose synthesis in the leaves of C % plants, the control of flux through the pathway and its response to environmental conditions, and finally some of the prospects for the genetic manipulation of sucrose metabolism in C % plants. Much of our knowledge about sucrose synthesis in plants comes from C $ species ; it is evident, from those studies of C % species that are available, that there are many similarities between sucrose synthesis in C $ and C % plants. However, some of the basic regulatory mechanisms common to both C $ and C % plants seem to have been adapted for the specialized photosynthetic metabolism of C % plants. There are also some other important differences : for example, some C % species possess photosynthetic cells with little or no capacity for sucrose synthesis. For these reasons it is not always appropriate to extrapolate directly from C $ to C % plants. Even where data are available from one C % species, usually maize, it should not be assumed that all C % plants are necessarily the same in every respect. Although C % plants constitute a small fraction of the plant kingdom as a whole, they include a disproportionate number of agriculturally important species. C % plants also have some advantages over C $ plants for studies of the regulation of cell-specific gene expression and the control of metabolism. For these reasons we suggest that they are worthy of more attention by researchers.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the Sucrose Synthase Gene Family in Grape (Vitis vinifera): Structure, Evolution, and Expression Profiles

“…It is mainly produced by photosynthesis in source tissues and is exported to sink tissues where it serves as a carbon source of energy for various metabolic pathways [1,2]. In addition, when suffering from environmental stress such as cold, drought and salt stress, the accumulation of sucrose protects the stability of both membranes and proteins in plant cells.…”

Analysis of the sucrose synthase gene family in tobacco: structure, phylogeny, and expression patterns

“…It is mainly produced by photosynthesis in leaves, and is exported to sink tissues that serve as carbon and energy sources for growth processes and for the synthesis of storage reserves (Lunn and Furbank 1999; Chen et al 2012). When suffering low temperature or drought stress, plant cells can accumulate sucrose to stabilize membranes and proteins.…”

Delineating the structural, functional and evolutionary relationships of sucrose phosphate synthase gene family II in wheat and related grasses

“…As the major photosynthetic product, it is essential for growth, the synthesis of biomass and as a carbon and energy source. In the cereals, it is converted into starch and storage proteins, while many dicotyledonous species use it to form lipids and/or storage proteins [1,2]. Under stressful conditions (e.g, low temperature or drought ), the plant cell typically accumulates sucrose as a protective osomoticum [3,4].…”