Among the multifunctional molecules that participate in processes of plant tolerance/resistance to stresses, inositol (Ins) and its derivatives (phosphorylated, methylated, oxygenated, and Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides) have attracted the attention of researchers. These compounds represent versatile and dynamic signaling molecules and osmolytes in all eukaryotes. Due to the impacts related to Ins and its derivatives in a plant cell, assays have been conducted to understand how these biomolecules affect plant physiology. Thus, overexpression or knockout of Ins-related genes has been shown as interesting strategies for generating more efficient plants capable of growing under stress conditions. In this chapter, studies using molecular tools are presented, and the impacts of their results are discussed based on the plant stress tolerance/resistance. Furthermore, an informative panel is provided with transcriptional modulation of genes related to Ins and its derivatives expressed in plants under stress. There is a gap involving about two dozen enzymes associated with the synthesis of Ins-related compounds that have not been adequately studied, and they represent an area of high biotechnological potential.
Part of the book: Abiotic and Biotic Stress in Plants