Article

Got milk? The secret life of laticifers.

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada.
Trends in Plant Science (impact factor: 11.05). 11/2008; 13(12):631-9. DOI:10.1016/j.tplants.2008.09.005
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Laticifers are specialized cells that occur in over 20 plant families in several unrelated angiosperm orders. Although laticifers are likely to be of polyphyletic origin, their occurrence is considered a morphological indicator of relatedness among species. The classification of laticifers is based on developmental patterns and overall morphology. The cytoplasmic latex exuded in response to damage often includes specialized metabolites, such as cardenolides, alkaloids and natural rubber. Laticifers provide an effective location to store defense metabolites, although not all latex-bearing plants accumulate bioactive natural products. Ecophysiological studies have shown that latex and its associated metabolites are vital for the defense of plants against insects. The anatomy, development and physiology of laticifers are discussed with a focus on evolutionary and ecological perspectives.

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Keywords

20 plant families
 
alkaloids
 
anatomy
 
bioactive natural products
 
cytoplasmic latex exuded
 
developmental patterns
 
effective location
 
evolutionary
 
latex-bearing plants
 
laticifers
 
morphological indicator
 
morphology
 
natural rubber
 
physiology
 
plants
 
polyphyletic origin
 
specialized metabolites