reviewJournal of Pineal ResearchSep 7, 2016BRONZE OA

Melatonin biosynthesis in plants: multiple pathways catalyze tryptophan to melatonin in the cytoplasm or chloroplasts

Chonnam National University · The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center

PubMed
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Abstract

Melatonin is an animal hormone as well as a signaling molecule in plants. It was first identified in plants in 1995, and almost all enzymes responsible for melatonin biosynthesis had already been characterized in these species. Melatonin biosynthesis from tryptophan requires four-step reactions. However, six genes, that is, TDC, TPH, T5H, SNAT, ASMT, and COMT, have been implicated in the synthesis of melatonin in plants, suggesting the presence of multiple pathways. Two major pathways have been proposed based on the enzyme kinetics: One is the tryptophan/tryptamine/serotonin/N-acetylserotonin/melatonin pathway, which may occur under normal growth conditions; the other is the…

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Authors

3

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Melatonin
  • Tryptamine
  • Serotonin
  • Tryptophan hydroxylase
  • Tryptophan
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biosynthesis
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