Biosynthesis of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Amides in Plant Defense Systems
Summary
The biosynthesis of hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs) in plants is rooted in the phenylpropanoid pathway, where hydroxycinnamic acids are activated by coenzyme A ligases and then conjugated to mono- or polyamines through N-hydroxycinnamoyltransferases. These amide conjugates accumulate rapidly at sites of pathogen attack, contributing to the formation of cell-wall appositions and exerting direct antimicrobial effects. Enzymatic oxidative coupling of HCAA monomers yields dimeric neolignanamides, reinforcing structural barriers against pathogen ingress. Regulation of this pathway involves defence-hormone signalling, reactive oxygen species bursts and transcriptional control of key transferase genes. Conserved across angiosperms, HCAAs serve in fungal and bacterial defence, ultraviolet protection and insect deterrence, and present opportunities for metabolic engineering and biotechnological production.
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Biosynthesis of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Amides in Plant Defense Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in biosynthesis of hydroxycinnamic acid amides in plant defense systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs): Conjugates of hydroxycinnamic acids and amines formed via amide bonds, which accumulate in plants as defence metabolites.
N-hydroxycinnamoyltransferases: Enzymes that catalyse the transfer of activated hydroxycinnamic acids to amine acceptors, initiating HCAA biosynthesis.
Dimerisation: Oxidative coupling of HCAA monomers to form dimeric structures (neolignanamides) that reinforce cell walls and display enhanced antimicrobial activity.
Phenolamides: A subclass of HCAAs combining phenolic acids with mono- or polyamines, prominent in plant stress responses.
Papillae: Cell-wall appositions deposited at sites of pathogen penetration, enriched in HCAAs and analogous to lignin-like polymers.
References
- Hordatines, dimerised hydroxycinnamoylagmatine conjugates of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.): an appraisal of the biosynthesis, chemistry, identification and bioactivities. Phytochemistry Reviews (2024).
- Identification and profile of phenolamides with anthracnose resistance potential in tea (Camellia sinensis). Horticulture Research (2023).
- Functional characterization of a small gene family coding for putrescine hydroxycinnamoyltransferases, involved in phenolamide accumulation, in tomato. Phytochemistry (2024).
- The Role of Hydroxycinnamic Acid Amide Pathway in Plant Immunity. Frontiers in Plant Science (2022).
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