Formation and function of plant cuticular triterpenoids

植物和动物一样，都必须应对环境施加的压力，例如通过极端气候。然而，与动物不同的是，植物不能通过简单地移开来逃避不利的条件，而是必须在它们生长的地方经受住它们。陆地植物进化出了一系列令人着迷的保护装置，包括保护其巨大表面免受昆虫和病原体侵袭、防止泥土和雨水以及防止晒伤和干燥的皮肤。植物如何使用一种用途极其广泛、经久耐用、重量轻的单一材料来实现所有这些目标？众所周知，所有这些特性都是由于覆盖在植物皮肤上的蜡涂层造成的。然而，目前还不清楚这种材料是如何形成的，以及它如何确切地决定表面属性。因此，在加拿大许多地区限制收成的不利条件下，以及由于气候变化预计未来将急剧恶化的条件下，不可能利用我们的作物。

Plants and animals alike have to cope with stress imposed by their environment, for example through climatic extremes. However, unlike animals, plants cannot evade adverse conditions by simply moving away, but have to withstand them where they grow. Land plants have evolved a fascinating repertoire of protective devices, including a skin that protects their huge surface against insects and pathogens, against dirt and rain, as well as against sunburns and desiccation. How do plants achieve all these goals using a single, extremely versatile, durable and lightweight material? It has been known for some time that all these properties are due to a wax coating that covers the plant skin. However, it is currently not clear how this material is formed and how exactly it determines the surface properties. Consequently, it is not possible to harness our crops against adverse conditions that are limiting harvests in many parts of Canada and against conditions that are expected to dramatically deteriorate in the future due to climate change.