Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

13C6-Glucose Labeling Associated with LC-MS: Identification of Plant Primary Organs in Secondary Metabolite Synthesis
Published on: March 22, 2024
Recent progress in the metabolic engineering of alkaloids in plant systems
Weslee S Glenn1, Weerawat Runguphan, Sarah E O'Connor
1John Innes Centre, Department of Biological Chemistry, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
Abstract:
Plant alkaloids have a rich chemical ecology that has been exploited for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Despite being highly represented within today's pharmacopoeia, relatively little is known about the biosynthesis, regulation and transport of these molecules. Understanding how nature synthesizes plant alkaloids will enhance our ability to overproduce--that is, to metabolically engineer--these medicinally useful compounds as well as new-to-nature compounds (with potentially improved bioactivity) derived from these natural scaffolds. Recent progress in the metabolic engineering of nitrogen-containing plant natural products--specifically the monoterpene indole alkaloids, the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids and the glucosinolates--was made possible through the characterization of various components in both native and engineered enzymatic pathways. The subsequent reconfiguration and tuning of these biological 'parts' has enabled the production of selected products at increasingly higher titers.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Overview of 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...
Production of Antibiotics
Production of Pharmaceuticals
Bioreactor Controls-III
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

