Abstract
Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are secondary metabolites present in many Poaceae including the major crops maize, wheat, and rye. In contrast to other potentially toxic secondary metabolites, BXs have not been targets of counter selection during breeding and the effect of BXs on insects, microbes, and neighbouring plants has been recognised. A broad knowledge about the mode of action and metabolisation in target organisms including herbivorous insects, aphids, and plants has been gathered in the last decades. BX biosynthesis has been elucidated on a molecular level in crop cereals. Recent advances, mainly made by investigations in maize, uncovered a significant diversity in the composition of BXs within one species. The pattern can be specific for single plant lines and dynamic changes triggered by biotic and abiotic stresses were observed. Single BXs might be toxic, repelling, attractive, and even growth-promoting for insects, depending on the particular species. BXs delivered into the soil influence plant and microbial communities. Furthermore, BXs can possibly be used as signalling molecules within the plant. In this review we intend to give an overview of the current data on the biosynthesis, structure, and function of BXs, beyond their characterisation as mere phytotoxins.
Highlights
A unique feature of plants is the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, termed specialised metabolites [1]
When the cell is disrupted, the glucosides come in contact with the glucosidase methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) and 2-hydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one and the aglucons are generated. 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) and (HDMBOA) are unstable and the degradation(HDMBOA)
The impact of benzoxazinones and the benzoxazolinones MBOA and 1,3-benzoxazol-2-one (BOA) arising as degradation products on Fusarium infection has been verified repeatedly (e.g., [78]) It has been shown that the biosynthesis of toxic trichothecenes by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe is almost completely abolished by DIMBOA in wheat
Summary
A unique feature of plants is the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, termed specialised metabolites [1]. Benzoxazinoids (BXs) are well-known secondary metabolites found in cereal crops and, in contrast to the cases of counter selection, benzoxazinoids have been targets of positive selection in breeding for maize tolerance to insects since the 1970s [4,5,6]. Advances in chemical analysis and well-developed genetic resources, especially in maize, have revealed distinct functions for different BXs in defence. Recent reviews summarise the role of BXs on plant-plant allelopathy [9], deal with the interaction between BXs and insects [10], and describe the BX structure diversity and function in maize [8]. We aim to give an overview on the present knowledge of the biosynthesis, distribution, and biological function of different BXs. The available data on BX-mediated interactions are summarised, providing a guide through the literature The available data on BX-mediated interactions are summarised in Table 1, providing a guide through the literature
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