Trehalose is a natural non-reducing disaccharide found in plants, invertebrates, fungi, and bacteria. In addition to roles as an energy source and stress protectant, trehalose can function as a signaling molecule. Trehalose 6-phosphate is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of trehalose. It is generated from UDP-glucose and glucose 6-phosphate by trehalose 6-phosphate synthase (TPS or otsA). In plants, changes in trehalose 6-phosphate levels positively correlate with diurnal changes in sucrose and may regulate diverse processes, including starch degradation and flowering.
