Ascorbic acid (AA) plays a broad role in plant metabolism, from the cell cycle to programmed cell death. An important component of the antioxidant system in plants, AA is able to donate electrons, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) or other toxic molecules, protecting cells against oxidative damage, such as lipid peroxidation and the oxidation of proteins that lead to membrane collapse. The accumulation of AA in plants is the result of a broader process that involves their ability to synthesize and recycle this metabolite. At least four pathways for AA synthesis are known; some of these pathways have converging steps, but not all of these pathways have been proven in plants. As the last step of AA biosynthesis in plants occurs within the mitochondria with the direct participation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC), it is speculated that the production of AA also influences the plant's respiratory process. While this event is acknowledged, very little information can be found in current literature. The purpose of this Research Topic of Frontiers in Plant Science is to gather and deliver up-to-date information on the entire metabolism of ascorbate, from synthesis to degradation and recycling, as well as the various actions of AA on plant metabolism.
We welcome submissions of original research, review, methods, and perspectives to the following scope, but not limited to:
• Biosynthesis and recycling of ascorbic acid in plants
• Transport and accumulation of ascorbic acid in plant tissue
• Role of ascorbic acid in plant metabolism
• Gene evolution and regulation of ascorbic acid biosynthetic pathways
• Strategies to increase the accumulation of ascorbic acid in plants
• Use of mutants to study the synthesis pathways and action of ascorbic acid in plants
• Ascorbic acid application in plants
Please note that descriptive studies and those defining gene families or descriptive collection of transcripts, proteins, or metabolites, will not be considered for review unless they are expanded and provide mechanistic and/or physiological insights into the biological system or process being studied.
Ascorbic acid (AA) plays a broad role in plant metabolism, from the cell cycle to programmed cell death. An important component of the antioxidant system in plants, AA is able to donate electrons, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) or other toxic molecules, protecting cells against oxidative damage, such as lipid peroxidation and the oxidation of proteins that lead to membrane collapse. The accumulation of AA in plants is the result of a broader process that involves their ability to synthesize and recycle this metabolite. At least four pathways for AA synthesis are known; some of these pathways have converging steps, but not all of these pathways have been proven in plants. As the last step of AA biosynthesis in plants occurs within the mitochondria with the direct participation of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mETC), it is speculated that the production of AA also influences the plant's respiratory process. While this event is acknowledged, very little information can be found in current literature. The purpose of this Research Topic of Frontiers in Plant Science is to gather and deliver up-to-date information on the entire metabolism of ascorbate, from synthesis to degradation and recycling, as well as the various actions of AA on plant metabolism.
We welcome submissions of original research, review, methods, and perspectives to the following scope, but not limited to:
• Biosynthesis and recycling of ascorbic acid in plants
• Transport and accumulation of ascorbic acid in plant tissue
• Role of ascorbic acid in plant metabolism
• Gene evolution and regulation of ascorbic acid biosynthetic pathways
• Strategies to increase the accumulation of ascorbic acid in plants
• Use of mutants to study the synthesis pathways and action of ascorbic acid in plants
• Ascorbic acid application in plants
Please note that descriptive studies and those defining gene families or descriptive collection of transcripts, proteins, or metabolites, will not be considered for review unless they are expanded and provide mechanistic and/or physiological insights into the biological system or process being studied.