Collection
Polyphenols: biosynthesis and function in plants and ecosystems
Polyphenols are the major group of plant secondary metabolites, structurally extremely diverse and involved in numerous functions in plants. Among them, polymers, such as lignin, which is essential for the structure and for a physical barrier of higher plants, and tannins, involved in plant defense, are particularly important both quantitatively and qualitatively. Other classes include flavonoid sub-groups such as anthocyanins (i.e. red and blue pigments, playing a role in plant pollination and defense), flavonols (yellow pigments involved in UV protection) or isoflavones, and non-flavonoids, e.g. lignans, stilbenoids, curcuminoids, etc. The XXVIIth International Conference on Polyphenols and the 8th Tannin Conference have been held jointly for the first time in their history in Nagoya, Japan, in September 2014. This joint meeting has provided scientists of both communities worldwide (35 countries represented) with a unique forum to exchange ideas and present novel findings on plant polyphenol research, including biosynthesis, genetics and metabolic engineering, functions in plants and ecosystems, physical–chemical properties and biological properties related to health benefits as well as various applications in food, nutrition, natural medicine, or material science. Some of the cutting-edge contributions are presented in this issue of Planta.
Editors
-
Stefan Martens
Dr. Martens' research interests are focused on biochemistry and molecular biology of important steps of plant secondary product pathway in apple, soft fruits and medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and biotechnological production of bioactive compounds. He was and is partner in various international, national and industrial projects and is the author of over sixty papers in ISI journals.
Articles (11 in this collection)
-
-
Metabolic and molecular analyses of white mutant Vaccinium berries show down-regulation of MYBPA1-type R2R3 MYB regulatory factor
Authors (first, second and last of 4)
-
Seasonal variation in formation, structure, and chemical properties of phloem in Picea abies as studied by novel microtechniques
Authors (first, second and last of 7)
-
Anthocyanin biosynthesis in gerbera cultivar ‘Estelle’ and its acyanic sport ‘Ivory’
Authors (first, second and last of 7)
-
The expression of a rice secondary wall-specific cellulose synthase gene, OsCesA7, is directly regulated by a rice transcription factor, OsMYB58/63
Authors (first, second and last of 6)
-
Spontaneous mutations of the UDP-glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase gene confers pale- and dull-colored flowers in the Japanese and common morning glories
Authors (first, second and last of 5)
-
-
Dynamics of flavonol accumulation in leaf tissues under different UV-B regimes in Centella asiatica (Apiaceae)
Authors (first, second and last of 13)
-
Accumulation of silymarin in milk thistle seeds under drought stress
Authors (first, second and last of 5)
-
Latent and active aurone synthase from petals of C. grandiflora: a polyphenol oxidase with unique characteristics
Authors (first, second and last of 6)
-
