Sugars as signaling molecules

Recent studies indicate that, in a manner similar to classical plant hormon es, sugars can act as signaling molecules that control gene expression and developmental processes in plants. Crucial evidence includes uncoupling glu cose signaling from its metabolism, identification of glucose sensors, and isolation and characterization of mutants and other regulatory components i n plant sugar signal transduction pathways. The emerging scenario points to the existence of a complex signaling network that interconnects transducti on pathways from sugars and other hormone and nutrient signals.