ATYPICAL METABOLISMS AND BIOCHEMICAL CYCLES IMPOSING THE CANCEROUS STATE ON PLANT-CELLS

The biological, morphological and biochemical characteristics which de fine plant cancer cells at the end of a neoplasic progression in the a bsence of pathogens and which distinguish them from tumorous cells are summarized. Such plant cancer cells have in common with animal cancer cells many metabolic disturbances. The present paper reviews the bioc hemical changes in nitrogen, carbon, sugar and heme metabolisms which contribute to polyamine (PAs) accumulation. It indicates how these cha nges are interconnected and even form between each other biochemical c ycles which likely maintain these cells in their irreversible state. T he role of these cycles in the maintenance of such cells under a proba ble permanent oxidative stress is debated.