Biomaterial Database

Genetic modification of plant secondary metabolite pathways using transcriptional regulators. 2001

J Memelink, and J W Kijne, and R van der Heijden, and R Verpoorte

Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, Clusius Laboratory, Wassenaarseweg 64, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands. memelink@rulbim.leidenuniv.nl

Plant secondary metabolism is the source of many natural products with diverse applications, including pharmaceuticals, food colors, dyes and fragrances. Functions in plants include attraction of pollinating insects and protection against pests and pathogens. An important regulatory step in secondary metabolism is transcription of the biosynthetic genes. The aim of this chapter is to discuss results and opportunities concerning modification of secondary metabolism using transcriptional regulators. The transcriptional regulation of two well-studied secondary pathways, the phenylpropanoid pathway and its flavonoid branch, and the terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthetic pathway, are reviewed. Some examples of successful engineering of these pathways via transcriptional regulators are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010937	Plant Growth Regulators	Any of the hormones produced naturally in plants and active in controlling growth and other functions. There are three primary classes: auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins.	Phytohormone,Phytohormones,Plant Growth Regulator,Plant Hormone,Plant Hormones,Growth Regulators, Plant,Regulators, Plant Growth,Growth Regulator, Plant,Hormone, Plant,Hormones, Plant,Regulator, Plant Growth
D010940	Plant Proteins	Proteins found in plants (flowers, herbs, shrubs, trees, etc.). The concept does not include proteins found in vegetables for which PLANT PROTEINS, DIETARY is available.	Plant Protein,Protein, Plant,Proteins, Plant
D010944	Plants	Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of kingdom Plantae. Plants acquired chloroplasts by direct endosymbiosis of CYANOBACTERIA. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (MERISTEMS); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absence of nervous and sensory systems; and an alternation of haploid and diploid generations. It is a non-taxonomical term most often referring to LAND PLANTS. In broad sense it includes RHODOPHYTA and GLAUCOPHYTA along with VIRIDIPLANTAE.	Plant
D003517	Cyclopentanes	A group of alicyclic hydrocarbons with the general formula R-C5H9.	Cyclopentadiene,Cyclopentadienes,Cyclopentene,Cyclopentenes,Cyclopentane
D004269	DNA, Bacterial	Deoxyribonucleic acid that makes up the genetic material of bacteria.	Bacterial DNA
D005419	Flavonoids	A group of phenyl benzopyrans named for having structures like FLAVONES.	2-Phenyl-Benzopyran,2-Phenyl-Chromene,Bioflavonoid,Bioflavonoids,Flavonoid,2-Phenyl-Benzopyrans,2-Phenyl-Chromenes,2 Phenyl Benzopyran,2 Phenyl Benzopyrans,2 Phenyl Chromene,2 Phenyl Chromenes
D005809	Genes, Regulator	Genes which regulate or circumscribe the activity of other genes; specifically, genes which code for PROTEINS or RNAs which have GENE EXPRESSION REGULATION functions.	Gene, Regulator,Regulator Gene,Regulator Genes,Regulatory Genes,Gene, Regulatory,Genes, Regulatory,Regulatory Gene
D013729	Terpenes	A class of compounds composed of repeating 5-carbon units of HEMITERPENES.	Isoprenoid,Terpene,Terpenoid,Isoprenoids,Terpenoids
D014157	Transcription Factors	Endogenous substances, usually proteins, which are effective in the initiation, stimulation, or termination of the genetic transcription process.	Transcription Factor,Factor, Transcription,Factors, Transcription
D014158	Transcription, Genetic	The biosynthesis of RNA carried out on a template of DNA. The biosynthesis of DNA from an RNA template is called REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION.	Genetic Transcription