Quantification of metabolic flux in plant secondary metabolism by a biogenetic organizational approach.
Metabolic engineering represents a promising approach to enhance the yield of valuable natural products from plants. A method to quantify flux through metabolite measurements is necessary for the analysis of native and modified pathways. Rather than focusing only on the accumulation of the final products, analyzing a wide range of secondary metabolites has significant advantages. We propose a model that organizes the flux analysis by grouping metabolites of similar biosynthetic origin. To this end, we have quantified temporal profiles of metabolites from several branches of the indole alkaloid pathway in Catharanthus roseus hairy root cultures. By analyzing these data, we are able to examine the distribution of flux around key branchpoints. Furthermore, this analysis provides crucial information such as an estimate of total flux to secondary metabolism.
Morgan
John A
JA
Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, 6100 S. Main St., Houston, Texas 77005-1892, USA.
Shanks
Jacqueline V
JV
D030009:Aspidosperma / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D030008:Catharanthus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D003198:Computer Simulation; D026121:Indole Alkaloids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D030014:Tabernaemontana / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
D026121:Indole Alkaloids