The strigolactone pathway plays a crucial role in integrating metabolic and nutritional signals in plants

Strigolactones are rhizosphere signals and phytohormones that play crucial roles in plant development. They are also well known for their role in integrating nitrate and phosphate signals to regulate shoot and root development. More recently, sugars and citrate (an intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle) were reported to inhibit the strigolactone response, with dramatic effects on shoot architecture. This Review summarizes the discoveries recently made concerning the mechanisms through which the strigolactone pathway integrates sugar, metabolite and nutrient signals. We highlight here that strigolactones and MAX2-dependent signalling play crucial roles in mediating the impacts of nutritional and metabolic cues on plant development and metabolism. We also discuss and speculate concerning the role of these interactions in plant evolution and adaptation to their environment. This Review summarizes recent knowledge and offers new insight about the role of strigolactone signalling in the integration of nutritional and metabolic status, as well as its consequences for plant development and architecture.