Table of Contents
Auxin biosynthesis pathway has different types. There are two types of pathway- one is Tryptophan-dependent pathway and another one is Tryptophan-independent pathway.
The precursor of auxin hormone:
Tryptophan (aromatic amino acid)
The key enzyme of tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis:
YUCCA–> a gene product, Tryptophan aminotransferase.
Auxin biosynthesis pathway: Tryptophan-dependent pathway:
There are four tryptophan-dependent pathway. Those are-
- IPA (Indole-3-pyruvate) pathway
- Tryptamine pathway
- IAN (Indole-3-acetonitrile) pathway
- IAM (Indole-3-acetamide) pathway
IPA (Indole-3-pyruvate) pathway
- Deamination of the tryptophan occurs in the first step of the IPA pathway by the enzyme tryptophan transaminase.
- Deamination of the tryptophan produces indole-3-pyruvate (IPA).
- The first product of the pathway is IPA (indole-3-pyruvate). Hence, the name is IPA pathway.
- Indole-3-Acetaldehyde is produced by the decarboxylation of the IPA (indole-3-pyruvate) by the enzyme decarboxylase.
- Finally, Indole-3-acetice acid (IAA) is produced by the dehydrogenation of Indole-3-Acetaldehyde.
Example:
Tomato
The schematic representation of IPA (Indole-3-pyruvate) pathway:

Tryptamine pathway
- Tryptamine is produced by the decarboxylation of tryptophan.
- Tryptamine is the first product of the pathway. Hence, the name of the pathway is tryptamine pathway.
- Tryptamine is deaminated to form Indole-3-Acetaldehyde.
- Finally, Indole-3-acetice acid (IAA) is produced by the dehydrogenation of Indole-3-Acetaldehyde.
Example:
Tomato
The schematic representation of tryptamine pathway:

IAN (Indole-3-acetonitrile) pathway
- Indole-3-acetaldoxime is produced from the tryptophan by the enzyme oxidoreductase.
- Then Indole-3-acetaldoxime is converted to IAN (Indole-3-acetonitrile) by the enzyme acetaldoxime dehydratase.
- Finally, Indole-3-acetice acid (IAA) is produced from Indole-3-Acetonitrile (IAN) by the enzyme nitrilase.
Example:
Brassicaceae, grass family, banana family.
The schematic representation of IAN (Indole-3-acetonitrile) pathway:

IAM (Indole-3-acetamide) pathway
- IAM (Indole-3-acetamide) is produced as the first product of this pathway from tryptophan by the enzyme tryptophan monooxygenase.
- Finally, Indole-3-acetice acid (IAA) is produced from IAM (Indole-3-acetamide) by the enzyme Indole acetamide hydrolase.
Example:
Agrobacterium.
The schematic representation of IAM (Indole-3-acetamide) pathway:

Auxin biosynthesis pathway: Tryptophan-independent pathway:
- This pathway is mutants for both maize and Arabidopsis.
- Instead of tryptophan, the pathway is started from indole.
- The precise pathway is not know properly.
- This pathway is observed in several plant species.
Other related notes:
- Phototropin: https://thebiologyislove.com/phototropin/
- Dark reaction: https://thebiologyislove.com/calvin-benson-cycle-or-dark-reaction/
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