The diversity of genes for the synthesis of opines and their products in representatives of various taxa

Abstract

Opines are low molecular weight organic substances that occur in marine invertebrates, bacteria, some plants and fungi. Such an unusual range of organisms suggests the importance of studying and systematizing knowledge about the functions of these compounds and the genetic control of their metabolism. In recent years, new data have emerged on plants containing genes for the synthesis of opines as a result of horizontal gene transfer from agrobacteria. This review is devoted to systematization of information about opine synthase genes, their products and functions of the latter.