Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that is found in uni- and multi-cellular organisms and is involved in many aspects of plant life cycle. GABA metabolism occurs by the action of evolutionary conserved enzymes that constitute the GABA shunt, bypassing two steps of the TCA cycle. The central position of GABA in the interface between plant carbon and nitrogen metabolism is well established. In parallel, there is evidence to support a role for GABA as a signaling molecule in plants. Here we cover some of the recent findings on GABA metabolism and signaling in plants and further suggest that the metabolic and signaling aspects of GABA may actually be inseparable.
Highlights
GABA is Associated with Primary Nitrogen and Carbon Metabolism and is Tightly Linked to the TCA Cycle γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a four-carbon (C) non-proteinogenic amino acid (AA) that was first discovered in plants over half a century ago (Steward et al, 1949)
In both eukaryotes and bacteria GABA is a significant component of the free AA pool (Shelp et al, 1999) and the enzymes involved in GABA metabolism are conserved (Metzer and Halpern, 1990; Tillakaratne et al, 1995; Bown and Shelp, 1997; Kumar et al, 2000)
Plant GABA metabolism and signaling mitochondrial enzyme, succinic semi-aldehyde (SSA) dehydrogenase (SSADH; EC 1.2.1.16) to succinate that acts both as an electron donor to the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) and as a component of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCAC) (Bouché et al, 2003a; Shelp et al, 2012b)
Summary
Plant GABA metabolism and signaling mitochondrial enzyme, SSA dehydrogenase (SSADH; EC 1.2.1.16) to succinate that acts both as an electron donor to the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) and as a component of the TCAC (Bouché et al, 2003a; Shelp et al, 2012b). Mutants of the Arabidopsis GABP (mitochondrial GABA transporter) resulted in reduced uptake of GABA into mitochondria and increased TCAC activity (Michaeli et al, 2011).
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