Sucrose metabolism: Controls the sugar sensing and generation of signalling molecules in plants

Abstract

The daily life of photosynthetic plants revolves around sugar manufacturing, transport, storage and utilization, and the complex sucrose (Suc) metabolic and signaling networks integrate internal regulators and environmental cues to govern and sustain plant growth and survival. Suc metabolism plays crucial roles in plant development mainly by generating a range of sugar signaling molecules such as Suc itself, glucose (Glc) and trehalose- 6-phosphate (T6P). Sugars not only fuel cellular carbon and energy metabolism but also play pivotal roles as signaling molecules. Sugars have a central regulatory function in steering plant growth. This review having information presented in the past years on key players in sugar-mediated plant growth regulation, with emphasis on hexokinase, Snf1-related kinase 1, and target of rapamycin kinase regulatory systems, trehalose 6-phosphate.