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Tryptophan-Derived Sulfur-Containing Phytoalexins-a General Overview

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Developments in Tryptophan and Serotonin Metabolism

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 527))

Abstract

Phytoalexins are low molecular weight antimicrobial compounds that are synthesized and accumulated in plants after their exposure to pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoans). They are extensively studied now as promising antifungal, potentially anticancer and plant diseases controlling agents. The article pertains to a group of indole-derived phytoalexins - brassinins, containing at least one sulfur atom in the side chain or in the ring(s), isolated from the cruciferous plants. Up today more than 20 compounds, closely related biogenetically, but exhibiting diversified biological activity have been identified. The survey summerises most promising recent results pertaining practical application of brassinins and camalexins.

As a result of our long lasting interest and research in the field of sulfur containing, sometimes tryptophane-derived alkaloids, some monograph chapters were prepared and published’’’. Thus, in 1991 we reported for the first time an isolation of indolic, S-containing compounds exhibiting clear antifungal properties from some cruciferous species’. Tracing these compounds in the literature we prepared the review presented now.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University, L. Pasteur Str.1, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland

    Joanna Ruszkowska

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  1. Joanna Ruszkowska
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  2. Jerzy T. Wróbel
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Graziella Allegri , Carlo V. L. Costa  & Eugenio Ragazzi ,  & 

  2. University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Hans Steinhart

  3. Istituto G. Gaslini, Genova Quarto, Italy

    Luigi Varesio

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Ruszkowska, J., Wróbel, J.T. (2003). Tryptophan-Derived Sulfur-Containing Phytoalexins-a General Overview. In: Allegri, G., Costa, C.V.L., Ragazzi, E., Steinhart, H., Varesio, L. (eds) Developments in Tryptophan and Serotonin Metabolism. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 527. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0135-0_72

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0135-0_72

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