Green messengers: the role of catecholamines in plants

Abiotic and biotic stresses profoundly affect global agricultural production. Climate change and escalating global temperatures are expected to increase the prevalence of these stressful conditions. The metabolism of plants is influenced by animal neurotransmitters, which play crucial roles in the regulation of responses to stress and the enhancement of stress tolerance. Among these neurotransmitter-like compounds are catecholamines, a group of biogenic amines characterized by a catechol moiety and an amine group. Dopamine is the most studied catecholamine in plants, and recent studies have demonstrated its effects on plant metabolism and development, especially in mitigating the adverse impacts of stress on plants. This review aims to examine each step in catecholamine metabolism and the effects of dopamine in plants, highlighting current knowledge of their mechanisms of action and identifying research gaps. It outlines the chemical characteristics of this group, analyzing their biosynthetic and metabolic processes.