Recent progress in the chemistry and biochemistry of strigolactones.

Strigolactones (SLs) are plant secondary metabolites derived from carotenoids. SLs play important roles in the regulation of plant growth and development and coordinate interactions between plants and other organisms including root parasitic plants, and symbiotic and pathogenic microbes in the rhizosphere. In the 50 years since the discovery of the first SL, strigol, our knowledge about the chemistry and biochemistry of SLs has advanced explosively, especially over the last two decades. In this review, recent advances in the chemistry and biology of SLs are summarized and possible future outcomes are discussed.