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Sphingolipid Signaling in Plants

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Book cover Lipid Signaling in Plants

Part of the book series: Plant Cell Monographs ((CELLMONO,volume 16))

Abstract

Until relatively recently, plant sphingolipids were generally considered to be minor cellular components of limited importance. However, research over the last decade has shown that sphingolipids play key roles in many aspects of plant biology, including reproduction, development and also biotic and abiotic stress. Sphingolipids play an important role as structural components of membranes and have been shown to be enriched in membrane microdomains synonomous with so-called lipid rafts. In addition to their structural role, sphingolipid metabolites are, by analogy with other non-plant systems, likely to act as signaling compounds. This emerging area is discussed in this chapter and the evidence for sphingolipid signaling in plants is considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biological Chemistry Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 2JQ, UK

    Louise V. Michaelson

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  1. Louise V. Michaelson
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  2. Johnathan A. Napier
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Correspondence to Louise V. Michaelson .

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  1. Swammerdam Inst. Life Science, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 318, Amsterdam, 1098 SM, Netherlands

    Teun Munnik

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Michaelson, L.V., Napier, J.A. (2010). Sphingolipid Signaling in Plants. In: Munnik, T. (eds) Lipid Signaling in Plants. Plant Cell Monographs, vol 16. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03873-0_20

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