Specialized metabolites as mediators for plant-fungus crosstalk and their evolving roles

Plants, fungi, and bacteria produce numerous natural products with bioactive properties essential for ecological adaptation. Because of their chemical complexity, these natural products have been adapted for diverse applications in industry. The discovery of their biosynthetic pathways has been accelerated due to improved 'omics' approaches, metabolic engineering, and the availability of genetic manipulation techniques. Ongoing research into these metabolites is not only resolving the enzymatic diversity underlying their biosynthesis but also delving into the physiological and mechanistic basis of their modes of action. This review highlights progress made in the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways and biological roles of specialized metabolites, focusing on some that play important roles at the interface of plant-fungus interactions.