Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
08:09
Annotation of Plant Gene Function via Combined Genomics, Metabolomics and Informatics
Published on: June 17, 2012
Getting to grips with the plant metabolic network
Lee J Sweetlove1, David Fell, Alisdair R Fernie
1Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK. Lee.sweetlove@plants.ox.ac.uk
The Biochemical Journal
|December 8, 2007
Summary
Analyzing plant metabolic networks is crucial for understanding plant biology. Despite extensive data, predicting metabolic responses and engineering plant metabolism remains challenging, requiring further network analysis advancements.
Area of Science:
- Plant Metabolism
- Systems Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Extensive historical research in plant metabolism.
- Vast data repositories on enzymes, transcripts, proteins, and metabolites are available.
- Current analytical approaches are sophisticated but insufficient for rational engineering or prediction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of plant metabolic network analysis.
- To outline future steps for understanding plant metabolic regulation.
- To bridge the gap between data availability and predictive/engineering capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent plant network interrogations.
- Appraisal of current analytical techniques in plant metabolic research.
- Synthesis of existing knowledge on plant metabolic networks.
Main Results:
- Significant progress in plant network analysis within the last 18 months.
- Identification of key challenges in predicting metabolic responses.
- Highlighting the need for advanced network analysis methodologies.
Conclusions:
- Further advancements in plant metabolic network analysis are essential.
- Rational engineering of plant metabolism requires a deeper understanding of network regulation.
- Continued research into network interrogation is vital for future progress.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Overview of Metabolism
Living cells constantly carry out various chemical reactions which are necessary for their proper functioning. These reactions are interlinked to one another via multiple pathways. The collection of these chemical reactions is known as metabolism.
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
01:30Introduction to Metabolism
Metabolism encompasses all biochemical reactions in a living organism, facilitating both the breakdown and synthesis of biomolecules. These metabolic processes are categorized into catabolic and anabolic pathways, which operate in a coordinated manner to ensure energy balance and cellular function.Catabolic Pathways and Energy ReleaseCatabolic pathways involve the breakdown of complex macromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins into smaller structures like monosaccharides, fatty...
01:21Overview of Protein Metabolism
Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
01:24Other Glycolytic Pathways
The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) operates in parallel with glycolysis, facilitating the metabolism of both pentoses and glucose. This pathway consists of two distinct phases: the oxidative and non-oxidative phases. While it does not directly generate ATP, the intermediates formed during the process can integrate into glycolysis, contributing to cellular energy metabolism when required.Oxidative Phase: NADPH ProductionThe oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway is primarily...
01:19Regulation of Metabolism
Cellular needs and conditions vary from cell to cell and change within individual cells over time. For example, the required enzymes and energetic demands of stomach cells are different from those of fat storage cells, skin cells, blood cells, and nerve cells. Furthermore, a digestive cell works much harder to process and break down nutrients during the time that closely follows a meal compared with many hours after a meal. As these cellular demands and conditions vary, so do the amounts and...
01:19Overview of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Carbohydrate metabolism is a fundamental biochemical process that ensures a constant supply of energy to living cells. The most important carbohydrate is glucose, which can be broken down via glycolysis to enter into the Krebs cycle and eventually lead to the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation.
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...
Glucose transport into cells is facilitated by a family of transport proteins called GLUT (Glucose Transporters). GLUT4 is the primary glucose transporter for insulin-stimulated glucose...