Metabolism and function of polyamines in plants: recent development (new approaches)

A review is presented of the recent developments in the metabolism and func tion of polyamines in plants. Polyamines appear to be involved in a wide ra nge of plant processes so their exact role is not completely understood. In this review, the metabolic pathways involved in polyamine biosynthesis and degradation are explained, along with the transport and conjugation of the se compounds. The methodologies involved in the analysis of polyamine funct ion using metabolic inhibitors and genetic and molecular approaches are des cribed. The occurrence and distribution of polyamine-derived alkaloids are also dealt with. The direction of future research in the study of plant pol yamines is indicated.