title: One pathway, many products.
abstract: Biosynthetic pathways for secondary metabolites usually make many products, not just one. In this Commentary, we consider why molecular promiscuity might be an evolutionarily advantageous feature of these pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fischbach
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clardy
mesh_terms: D001685:Biological Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism; D005875:Gibberellins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D022061:Tacrolimus Binding Protein 1A / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors; D005875:Gibberellins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013729:Terpenes; D022061:Tacrolimus Binding Protein 1A; D020123:Sirolimus