FATTY-ACID SIGNALING IN ARABIDOPSIS

Many organisms use fatty acid derivatives as biological regulators. In plants, for example, fatty acid-derived signals have established role s in the regulation of developmental and defense gene expression. Grow ing numbers of these compounds, mostly derived from fatty acid hydrope roxides, are being characterized. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana is serving a vital role in the discovery of fatty acid-derived signal molecules and the genetic analysis of their synthesis and action. The Arabidopsis genome sequencing project, the availability of large numb ers of mutants in fatty acid biosynthesis and signal transduction, as well as excellent pathosystems, make this plant a tremendously useful model for research in fatty acid signaling. This review summarizes rec ent progress in understanding fatty acid signaling in A. thaliana and highlights areas of research where progress is rapid. Particular atten tion is paid to the growing literature on the jasmonate family of regu lators and their role in defense against insects and microbial pathoge ns.