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A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
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Why do plants produce so many terpenoid compounds?

Eran Pichersky1, Robert A Raguso2

  • 1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Michigan, MI, 48109, USA.

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|September 9, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Plants produce thousands of terpenoids for various functions. This review explores how plant biosynthetic pathways enable diverse terpenoid production and discusses hypotheses on their ecological roles and evolutionary retention.

Keywords:
biochemistryevolutionplant defensesecondary metabolismspecialized metabolitesterpenes

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Area of Science:

  • Plant biochemistry and evolution
  • Terpenoid biosynthesis
  • Chemical ecology

Background:

  • Plants synthesize hundreds of terpenoid compounds with diverse roles, including phytohormones and antioxidants.
  • Thousands of specialized terpenoids exist across plant lineages, often with roles in defense or attracting beneficial organisms.
  • Existing hypotheses suggest terpenoid evolution is driven by coevolutionary arms races or the benefits of compound diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the unique features of plant terpene biosynthetic apparatus facilitating large-scale terpenoid production.
  • To examine how genetic and biochemical changes drive terpenoid diversification in plants.
  • To discuss evidence supporting hypotheses on the ecological functions of terpenoid mixtures and the retention of novel functions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on plant terpenoid biosynthesis.
  • Analysis of genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying terpenoid diversification.
  • Synthesis of evidence related to ecological functions and evolutionary hypotheses of terpenoids.

Main Results:

  • Plant biosynthetic pathways possess unique features enabling the production of numerous distinct terpenoids.
  • Facile genetic and biochemical modifications allow for continuous terpenoid diversification.
  • Evidence suggests mixtures of terpenes can enhance ecological functions, and new functions may promote retention.

Conclusions:

  • Plant terpenoid diversity is facilitated by adaptable biosynthetic machinery.
  • Terpenoid evolution is shaped by ecological interactions and the advantages conferred by compound mixtures and novel functions.
  • Understanding terpenoid biosynthesis and evolution is crucial for appreciating plant ecological roles.