Strigolactones, Karrikins, and More: Newly Discovered Molecules Light Up Plant Signaling

Abstract

Strigolactones (SLs) are a group of small carotenoid-derived molecules recently discovered not only to influence shoot and root architecture as plant hormones, but also to regulate symbiotic and parasitic interactions as rhizosphere signals. Karrikins (KARs), a class of signaling molecules discovered from the smoke of burning plant material that can stimulate germination of seeds of fire-following plant species and enhance seedling photomorphogenesis, are butenolide compounds with structural similarity to SLs.