Plant (di)terpenoid evolution: from pigments to hormones and beyond

Area of Science:

• Plant biochemistry
• Molecular evolution
• Natural product biosynthesis

Background:

• Diterpenoid biosynthesis is crucial for plant survival, enabling production of photosynthetic pigments.
• The pathway originates early in land plant evolution, leading to a vast diversity of (di)terpenoid natural products.
• Previous reviews have established foundational knowledge in this area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated review of diterpenoid biosynthesis in plants, covering literature from 2014-2022.
• To emphasize enzyme structure-function relationships in diterpenoid metabolism.
• To offer new perspectives on the evolutionary trajectory of (di)terpenoid pathways.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of research published between 2014 and 2022.
• Analysis of enzyme structures and functional data related to diterpenoid synthesis.
• Comparative analysis of (di)terpenoid metabolic pathways across plant lineages.

Main Results:

• Significant advancements in understanding the structural and functional diversity of key enzymes in diterpenoid biosynthesis.
• New insights into the evolutionary mechanisms driving the expansion and diversification of (di)terpenoid pathways.
• Identification of novel regulatory elements and enzyme mechanisms.

Conclusions:

• Diterpenoid metabolism in plants is a dynamic and evolving field with significant implications for natural product discovery.
• Enzyme structure-function studies are key to unlocking the full potential of plant secondary metabolism.
• Continued research will further illuminate the evolutionary history and biotechnological applications of plant diterpenoids.