Got milk? The secret life of laticifers

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in plant science 2008-12, Vol.13 (12), p.631-639
Main Authors: Hagel, Jillian M., Yeung, Edward C., Facchini, Peter J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Biological Evolution
cell walls
chemical ecology
Food Chain
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Insecta
latex
Latex - biosynthesis
literature reviews
Magnoliopsida - cytology
Magnoliopsida - growth & development
Magnoliopsida - metabolism
plant development
plant physiology
plant-insect relations
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1360-1385
1878-4372
DOI:10.1016/j.tplants.2008.09.005