Formation and function of plant cuticular triterpenoids

植物和动物都必须科普环境施加的压力，例如极端气候。然而，与动物不同，植物不能通过简单的迁移来逃避不利条件，而是必须在生长的地方承受它们。陆地植物已经进化出一套迷人的保护装置，包括保护其巨大表面免受昆虫和病原体侵害的皮肤，防止灰尘和雨水，以及防止晒伤和干燥。植物是如何使用一种用途广泛、耐用且重量轻的单一材料实现所有这些目标的？一段时间以来，人们已经知道所有这些特性都是由于覆盖在植物皮肤上的蜡涂层。然而，目前尚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特性。因此，不可能利用我们的作物来应对加拿大许多地区限制收成的不利条件，以及由于气候变化预计未来将急剧恶化的条件。

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.