Polyamine research in plants - a changing perspective

Our understanding of the precise role(s) of polyamines (PAs) in various plant developmental and morphogenetic processes has advanced considerably by the ability to manipulate PA biosynthetic pathways using polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, PA- mutants and by adopting various transgenic strategies. The cDNA for almost every biosynthesis pathway enzyme has been isolated and cloned in a number of systems. This review briefly summarizes our current understanding of the genetic control of PA metabolism in different model plant systems.