Phospholipase activity during plant growth and development and in response to environmental stress

Phospholipid catabolism is essential to cell function and encompases a variety of processes including metabolic channeling of unusual fatty acids, membrane reorganization and degradation, and the production of secondary messengers. Phospholipases are grouped into classes depending upon their general site of cleavage, and multiple isoforms of two phospholipases have been identified. Recent advances have improved our understanding of these different activities and their physiological consequences in the context of plant development and in response to environmental stress.