REGULATION OF STARCH DEGRADATION IN LEAVES

Abstract

Leaves store a significant proportion of the carbon fixed by photosynthesis as starch; its synthesis prevents the accumulation of sugar from altering the cell osmotic potential and inhibiting photosynthetic activity. Nocturnal degradation of starch guarantees the availability of matter and energy demanded for the synthesis of sucrose that is exported to the rest of the plant. Starch degradation is under a control that coordinates the velocity of the process with that of sucrose export. In this article a review was carried out on the information that describes how the circadian rhythm and trehalose 6-P come together to make the starch degradation an effective and flexible process.