ANIMAL NEUROTRANSMITTER SUBSTANCES IN PLANTS

Abstract

Summary. Chemical substances that play essential role in neurotransmission in animals, such as acetylcholine and biogenic monoamines (e.g. dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, serotonin) have also been demonstrated in plants. Acetylcholine and catecholamines are believed to act as deterrents to insect predators and foraging animals but data about their possible role as biomediators in plants are accumulating. Acetylcholine is probably involved in regulation of physiological processes in plants as germination, flowering, morphogenesis and especially in phytochrome-controlled plant growth and development. Biogenic monoamines have been shown to modulate morphogenesis and reproductive organogenesis, to play a role in adaptation of some plants to a changing environment. Dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline were shown to participate in intercellular regulation of ion permeability and photophosphorylation of chloroplasts. Hydrophylic animal neurotransmitter substances are suitable candidates for signalling molecules in plants but their acceptance as biomediators in plants needs much more experimental information.