Abstract:

Xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), as a member of the molybdenum enzymes, plays an important role in purine metabolism, catabolizes xanthine and hypoxanthine to ureides, and involved in nitrogen assimilation, hormone homeostasis, reactive oxygen species production. In this paper, the latest knowledge on structure, biological function and recent advances of xanthine dehydrogenase in higher plants were reviewed. In addition, the value of delaying leaf senescence by xanthine dehydrogenase in practice was also discussed.