Abstract
The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in many important physiological processes such as stomatal closure, seed dormancy, plant growth and development, and responses to various environmental stresses. Along with ABA, various conjugated forms of ABA, which are inactive in ABA-related physiology, have been identified in plant cells. One of the most abundant forms of ABA conjugates is an ABA-glucosyl ester named as ABA-GE. The conjugate forms have long been thought to be by-products that are generated by one of the catabolic processes involved in lowering cellular ABA levels. However, recent studies provide evidence for the role of ABA-GE as a reservoir for the rapid production of active ABA in a compartmentalized fashion. ABA-GE can be converted to active ABA through a one-step hydrolysis by two β-glucosidases: AtBG1 and AtBG2, that localize to the ER and vacuole, respectively. Moreover, ABA produced from ABA-GE by these enzymes is crucial for proper adaptation to abiotic stresses. Thus, ABA-GE plays a crucial role in ABA-related plant physiology, which is exerted through the hydrolysis by β-glucosidases. In addition, the physiological role of ABA-GE is critically dependent on additional activities including de novo biosynthesis of ABA, conjugation of ABA with glucose by ABA UDP-glucosyltransferases, compartmentalization into subcellular organelles and long-distance transportation between tissues.
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Xu, ZY., Yoo, YJ., Hwang, I. (2014). ABA Conjugates and Their Physiological Roles in Plant Cells. In: Zhang, DP. (eds) Abscisic Acid: Metabolism, Transport and Signaling. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9424-4_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9424-4_5
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