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Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and Hydroxycinnamoyltransferases

Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives play an important role in plant life, not only as anti-pathogenic compounds and feeding deterrents but also as intermediates in the biosynthesis of lignin. Several classes of hydroxycinnamoyltransferases using differently activated (hydroxy)cinnamic acids are known from plant metabolism (see Petersen 2016). We are especially interested in the BAHD-family of hydroxycinnamoyltransferases which are part of the biosyntheses of e.g. rosmarinic acid and cimicifugic acids as well as the formation of monolignols. The evolution of monolignol biosynthesis is a crucial step for the ability of plants to conquer the land by being able to synthesise stabilising lignin as well as UV-protectants and antibacterial/antifungal compounds.