sucrose metabolic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways involving sucrose, the disaccharide fructofuranosyl-glucopyranoside. [GOC:go_curators]

Sucrose metabolism is a fundamental process in plant biology, involving the synthesis, transport, and breakdown of sucrose, a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. This process is crucial for plant growth, development, and energy storage.

**Sucrose Synthesis:**

* **Photosynthesis:** The primary source of sucrose is photosynthesis, where sunlight energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.
* **Sucrose Phosphate Synthase (SPS):** This enzyme catalyzes the first committed step in sucrose biosynthesis, combining UDP-glucose and fructose-6-phosphate to form sucrose-6-phosphate.
* **Sucrose Phosphate Phosphatase (SPP):** This enzyme removes the phosphate group from sucrose-6-phosphate, generating free sucrose.

**Sucrose Transport:**

* **Phloem:** Sucrose is transported throughout the plant via the phloem, a vascular tissue responsible for long-distance transport of sugars and other nutrients.
* **Sucrose Transporters:** Specific membrane proteins, called sucrose transporters, facilitate the movement of sucrose across cell membranes, both into and out of the phloem.

**Sucrose Breakdown:**

* **Invertase:** This enzyme hydrolyzes sucrose into glucose and fructose, which can then be used for energy production or as building blocks for other carbohydrates.
* **Cellular Respiration:** Glucose and fructose are metabolized through cellular respiration, releasing energy (ATP) that fuels cellular processes.

**Regulation of Sucrose Metabolism:**

* **Hormones:** Plant hormones, such as auxin, gibberellin, and cytokinin, play important roles in regulating sucrose metabolism.
* **Environmental Factors:** Factors like light intensity, temperature, and nutrient availability influence the rate of sucrose synthesis, transport, and breakdown.

**Significance:**

* **Plant Growth and Development:** Sucrose provides the primary source of carbon for plant growth and development, including leaf expansion, stem elongation, and root growth.
* **Energy Storage:** Excess sucrose is stored as starch in various plant organs, serving as a readily available energy reserve.
* **Crop Yield:** Sucrose metabolism directly impacts crop yield, as it determines the availability of sugars for seed development and other reproductive processes.

**Overall, sucrose metabolism is a complex and tightly regulated process essential for plant survival and productivity. It involves coordinated synthesis, transport, and breakdown of sucrose, driven by a network of enzymes, transporters, and regulatory factors.**'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (38)