Amino Acids and their Derivatives in Higher Plants

by R. M. Wallsgrove

Overview

Plants convert inorganic nitrogen into amino acids, the building blocks for proteins. They also make a wide range of other nitrogen compounds to help protect themselves from pests and diseases. An understanding of these compounds can therefore help in devising better crop protection and production methods. This volume contains essays by scientists who have studied aspects of plant nitrogen nutrition and amino acid biosynthesis. There are chapters on protein amino acids, nonprotein amino acids, betaines, glutathione, polyamines, and other secondary metabolites derived from amino acids. The results of these studies will be of interest to graduate students and professionals in biochemistry and botany.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521050517
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/14/2008
Series:	Society for Experimental Biology Seminar Series , #56
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.67(d)

Table of Contents

List of contributors; Preface; 1. Glutamine synthetase in higher plants: molecular biology meets plant physiology B. G. Forde and J. Woodall; 2. Interactions of nitrogen and carbon metabolism: implications of PEP carboxylase and isocitrate dehydrogenase P. Gadal, L. Lepiniec and S. Santi; 3. The genetics of aspartate derived amino acids in higher plants M. Jacobs, V. Frankard, M. Ghislain and M. Vauterin; 4. Oxidation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in the generation of ethylene by plants P. John; 5. Regulation of carbon flow through the branched chain amino acid biosynthetic pathway B. K. Singh, I. Szamosi and D. L. Shaner; 6. Amino acid metabolism and protein deposition in the endosperm of wheat: synthesis of proline via ornithine T. D. Ugalde, S. E. Maher, N. E. Nardella and R. M. Wallsgrove; 7. The glycine decarboxylase complex in higher plan mitochondria: structure, function and biogenesis S. Rawsthorne, R. Douce and D. Oliver; 8. Glycine and serine synthesis in non-photosynthetic tissues R. J. Ireland and D. A. Hiltz; 9. Biogenesis of N-heterocyclic amino acids by plants: mechanisms of biological significance E. G. Brown; 10. Toxicity of non-protein amino acids from plants J. P. F. D'Mello; 11. Processes involved in glutathione metabolism H. Rennenberg; 12. Betaines in higher plants - biosynthesis and role in stress metabolism J. Gorham; 13. Metabolism and function of polyamines during osmotically induced senescence in oat leaves and protoplasts A. F. Tiburcio, R. T. Besford, A. Borrell and M. Marcé; 14. Biosynthesis of cyanogenic glucosides. Elucidation of the pathway and characterization of the cytochromes P-450 involved O. Sibbesen, B. M. Koch, P. Rouzé, B. L. Møller and B. A. Halkier; 15. The biosynthesis of glucosinolates in Brassicas R. M. Wallsgrove and R. N. Bennett; 16. Biochemical genetics of aliphatic glucosinolates in Brassica and Arabidopsis R. Mithen and D. Toroser; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'… so useful for students and teachers of plant sciences who want to look beyond the basics on amino acid metabolism found in text books. For them it is highly recommended.' G. Sandmann, Journal of Plant Physiology

'The title of this symposium volume does not do complete justice to the contents, since topics covered include betaines, polyamines, cyanogenic glyocides and glucosinolates as well as amino acids … In summary, this is a valuable addition to the literature on nitrogen metabolism and at £40.00 is not unreasonable priced by today's standards.' Jeffrey B. Harborne, Phytochemistry

'Dr Wallsgrove should be congratulated on putting together an excellent book that will be of considerable value to final year undergraduates and all research workers with an interest in the field.' P. J. Lea, Annals of Botany

'This book is recommended strongly to the workers in the area of plant sciences, especially those working in the area of nitrogen metabolism.' N. Appaji Rao, Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry

From the Publisher

A volume arising from a meeting at Rothamsted Experimental Station in September 1993, sponsored by the Plant Metabolism Group of the SEB. The meeting was held to mark a century and a half of work at the Station on aspects of plant nitrogen nutrition and amino acid biosynthesis. The 16 papers look at the significant recent progress in understanding the biochemistry of amino acids, with contributed chapters on protein amino acids, non-protein amino acids, betaines, glutathione, polyamines, and other secondary metabolites derived from amino acids. Note: CiP incorrectly shows this volume as number 53 in the series. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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