Aromatic Compounds in the Host-Parasite Interaction

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Abstract
[long dash]It is apparent that the metabolism of aromatic compounds in diseased tissues often differs from that occurring in healthy tissues. The biochemical symptoms observed in host-parasite interactions may vary greatly, reflecting the innate differences in the metabolism of different plant species and pathogens. Infection with pathogenic microorganisms apparently stimulates the aromatization process and alters the proportion of aromatic compounds utilized for the synthesis of proteins and so-called "secondary plant contitutents". The utilization of aromatic intermediates in susceptible-reacting tissues apparently differs from that in resistant-reacting tissues; oxidative processes generally predominate in the latter. The balance routes of aromatic metabolism may be controlled by the redox potential existing in the tissues. Where aromatic metabolites accumulate in resistant-reacting tissues it is usually impossible to decide at present whether they are involved in bringing about the resistant reaction or are merely fortuitous products of an incompatible reaction. Aromatic metabolites innocuous to the pathogen per se may upset the host-parasite relationship by altering the metabolism of the host. Aromatic metabolites can alter metabolic processes in a variety of ways, but much effort is needed to clarify their role in host-parasite interactions.