Advances in plant tocopherol biosynthesis: from pathway elucidation to crop biofortification strategies

Le résumé fourni par la source

Tocopherols, together with tocotrienols and plastochromanols, constitute a category of lipophilic substances referred to as tocochromanols or vitamin E. Tocochromanols, celebrated for their strong antioxidant characteristics, are solely synthesized by photosynthetic entities, including plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, rendering them essential elements of the human diet. Their exceptional antioxidative functions arise from their capacity to engage with polyunsaturated acyl groups, efficiently neutralizing lipid peroxyl radicals and diminishing reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus protecting fatty acids from lipid peroxidation. Recent scientific investigations have uncovered novel understandings of the biosynthetic pathways of vitamin E and associated processes, presenting possible approaches for improving the nutritional quality of vital crops via biofortification. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the tocopherol biosynthesis pathway in plants, the importance of vitamin E levels in staple crops, and the variations in both levels and composition found among different crops. Additionally, the review emphasizes research focused on enhancing tocopherol content through genetic modifications, including the overexpression of critical enzymes within the biosynthetic pathway, and discusses the potential of diverse breeding strategies for crop enhancement.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.