Methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway metabolic regulation

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Plant Physiology
• Microbiology

Background:

• The methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway synthesizes isoprenoid precursors (isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate).
• Isoprenoids derived from the MEP pathway have critical biological functions and commercial applications, including atmospheric isoprene production by plants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the metabolic regulation of the MEP pathway, focusing on its role in photosynthetic leaves and isoprene emission.
• To discuss regulatory mechanisms involving intermediates and enzymes, particularly methylerythritol cyclodiphosphate (MEcDP).

Main Methods:

• Literature review covering metabolic regulation of the MEP pathway.
• Analysis of regulatory mechanisms involving carbon, ATP, and reducing power inputs.
• Focus on data up to February 2014.

Main Results:

• The MEP pathway is crucial for isoprenoid precursor synthesis in bacteria, parasites, and plant plastids.
• Methylerythritol cyclodiphosphate (MEcDP) emerges as a key regulatory metabolite with roles in pathway control and inter-cellular signaling.
• The pathway's regulation is complex, involving intermediate metabolites and enzymes.

Conclusions:

• The MEP pathway's metabolic regulation is vital for understanding isoprenoid production in plants and bacteria.
• MEcDP plays a significant role in coordinating biological processes beyond its direct function in isoprenoid synthesis.
• Further research into MEP pathway regulation is essential for exploiting its commercial potential and understanding its ecological impact.