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Regulation, evolution, and functionality of flavonoids in cereal crops

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Abstract

Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites that contribute to the adaptation of plants to environmental stresses, including resistance to abiotic and biotic stress. Flavonoids are also beneficial for human health and depress the progression of some chronic diseases. The biosynthesis of flavonoids, which belong to a large family of phenolic compounds, is a complex metabolic process with many pathways that produce different metabolites, controlled by key enzymes. There is limited knowledge about the composition, biosynthesis and regulation of flavonoids in cereals. Improved understanding of the accumulation of flavonoids in cereal grains would help to improve human nutrition through these staple foods. The biosynthesis of flavonoids, scope for altering the flavonoid composition in cereal crops and benefits for human nutrition are reviewed here.

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Abbreviations

4CL:

4-Coumarate-CoA ligase

ANS:

Anthocyanidin synthase

C4H:

Cinnamate-4-hydroxylase

CHI:

Chalcone-flavanone isomerase

CHS:

Chalcone synthase

DFR:

Dihydroflavonol-4-reductase

F3H:

Flavanone-3-hydroxylase

F3′H:

Flavonoid-3′-hydroxylase

FLS:

Flavonol synthase

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase

UFGT:

UDP-flavonoid glucosyltransferase

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Triticeae Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu-Wenjiang, 611130, Sichuan, China

    Zehou Liu, Yaxi Liu, Zhien Pu, Jirui Wang, Youliang Zheng & Yuming Wei

  2. Department of Plant Science, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Jirui Wang

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Yanhong Li

Authors
  1. Zehou Liu
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  2. Yaxi Liu
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  3. Zhien Pu
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  4. Jirui Wang
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  5. Youliang Zheng
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  6. Yanhong Li
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  7. Yuming Wei
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jirui Wang or Yuming Wei.

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Zehou Liu and Yaxi Liu contribured equally.

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Liu, Z., Liu, Y., Pu, Z. et al. Regulation, evolution, and functionality of flavonoids in cereal crops. Biotechnol Lett 35, 1765–1780 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-013-1277-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-013-1277-4

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