From measurements of metabolites to metabolomics: an 'on the fly' perspective illustrated by recent studies of carbon-nitrogen interactions.
Techniques for surveying metabolite levels provide a powerful tool for basic plant research and biotechnology. They offer the possibility of specialised measurements of specific classes of metabolites, profiling of a very broad range of low molecular weight compounds, and resolving the spatial and/or temporal localisation of selected key metabolites. Recent applications in the field of carbon-nitrogen interactions provide a framework to discuss how metabolite datasets are being utilised in the post-genomic era to characterise system responses, link transcript data to phenotypic responses, analyse underlying regulation mechanisms, and implement an in-context analysis of gene function. A major future challenge concerns the integration of the information gained from metabolite profiling into an accessible body of knowledge.
Stitt
Mark
M
Departments of Metabolic Networks and Molecular Physiology, Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476, Golm, Germany. stitt@mpimp-golm.mpg.de
Fernie
Alisdair R
AR
D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D008660:Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000379:methods*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen