Improving Flavor by Metabolic Engineering of the Terpenoid Pathway in Crop Plants

Abstract: Terpenoid is a class of isoprenoids isolated from plants. In addition to ecological roles in attracting pollinator， allelopathy among plant species and protecting plants against herbivores and pathogens， volatile terpenoids are also involved in aroma formation in fruits， vegetables and other crops. In this article， an up-to-date view on the terpenoid biosynthesis and its metabolic engineering were given. The genes encoding the key enzymes of the metabolic pathway， especially the characteristics of terpenoid synthases (TPSs) gene expression， were discussed and subsequently it was discussed to what extent the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway could be manipulated genetically aiming at higher production levels of terpenes in crop plants. It is clear that many interesting results can be expected when more related genes become available.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2005.03.0017