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[Plant volatiles and their metabolic engineering]
Xiao-Jun Deng1, Xiao-Ya Chen, Jia-Wei Du
1Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Molecular Ecology, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China. xjdeng@iris.sipp.ac.cn
Zhi Wu Sheng Li Yu Fen Zi Sheng Wu Xue Xue Bao = Journal of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology
|December 8, 2004
Summary
Plant volatiles, including terpenoids and fatty-acid derivatives, are crucial for plant communication. Genetic engineering offers exciting possibilities to modify plant scent profiles for various applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Science
Context:
- Plant volatiles mediate essential interactions, including plant-plant and plant-insect communication.
- Significant advancements in characterizing the biosynthesis and release of plant volatiles have been achieved.
- Over 30 genes involved in volatile compound synthesis have been identified.
Purpose:
- To explore the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying plant volatile formation and release.
- To understand the diverse biological functions of plant volatiles in plant communication and defense.
- To investigate genetic engineering strategies for modifying plant volatile profiles.
Summary:
- Plant volatiles encompass terpenoids, benzenoids, phenylpropanoids, and fatty-acid derivatives, playing key roles in ecological interactions.
- Their biosynthesis pathways are regulated by enzyme activity, substrate availability, and gene architecture.
- Plant volatiles function as attractants, regulators in development, and protectors against environmental stress, and can signal herbivory or pathogen attacks.
Impact:
- Elucidates the complex roles of plant volatiles in plant signaling and defense mechanisms.
- Provides insights into controlling plant scent profiles through genetic and molecular technologies.
- Opens avenues for designing novel plant scent spectra using genetic engineering approaches.