Research progresses on the key enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism in maize

Sucrose, as the major product of photosynthesis, is a vital metabolite and signaling molecule in higher plants. Three enzymes are responsible for the synthesis, transport, and degradation of sucrose. In this article, the gene structure, expression and regulation, and the physiological functions of the key enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism in maize are reviewed, moreover, the existing problems of the sucrose metabolism research were discussed in detail, and we present our ideas for future research.

Graphical abstractThe synthesis of sucrose in autotrophic organs (source), and being transported into heterotrophic organization (sink) via phloem for synthesis of starch. Abbreviations: Suc, sucrose; Fru, fructose; Fru-6-P, fructose 6-phosphate; Glu, glucose; Glu-6-p, glucose-6-phosphate; ADPG, adenosine diphosphate glucose; UDPG, uridine diphosphate glucose; UDP, uridine diphosphate; Inv, invertase; SuSy, sucrose synthase; SPS, sucrose-phosphate synthase.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Gene structure and enzymatic characteristics of the key enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism in maize. ► Physiological function, gene expression, and regulation of the key enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism in maize. ► The existing problems of the sucrose metabolism research and our ideas for future research were discussed in detail.