An update on core jasmonate signalling networks, physiological scenarios and health applications

Jasmonic acid, its precursors in the biosynthetic pathway and derivatives are lipid-derived signalling molecules. Together with other plant hormones, they regulate responses to stress (biotic and abiotic), mediate defence (against pathogens and herbivores) and a plethora of processes including growth and reproductive development in different plant species.
The discovery jasmonates is more recent than that of auxin, abscisic acid, cytokinins, gibberellic acid, ethylene and salicylic acid, however their role in regulating plant developmental plasticity is second to none. Since the 1990s, research made substantial advances and added to the cross-talk with the abovementioned, other hormones and signalling pathways.
Building on the knowledge of over two decades, an update on the research in JAs signalling components regulating plant responses to developmental and environmental cues is provided here. Information in Arabidopsis thaliana is integrated with reports on other plants.
Recent findings in the regulation of plant responses to biotics and abiotic stressors and evidence implicating JAs in the regulation of the trade-off between growth and stress will be reported.
Health applications for JAs and JAs-induced secondary metabolism, bridging the gap between biotechnology and traditional medicine will illustrate the practical and societal relevance of investigating the functions of such compounds.