Plant Biochemistry

Summary

Plant biochemistry encompasses the molecular processes that underlie plant growth, development, stress responses and ecological interactions. At its core lie primary metabolic pathways—photosynthetic carbon fixation, respiration, amino-acid and lipid synthesis—that channel energy and building-blocks into cellular structures. Superimposed on these are vast networks of secondary or specialised metabolites—terpenoids, phenolics, alkaloids and others—that mediate defence, signalling, pollinator attraction and environmental adaptation. Enzyme complexes, subcellular compartmentation and dynamic redox systems ensure tight coordination between light harvesting, carbon and nitrogen assimilation, and reactive-oxygen-species homeostasis. Advances in genomics, metabolomics and structural biology are revealing how individual proteins and pathways adjust fluxes in response to temperature, water deficit, pathogen attack or nutrient imbalance. This knowledge underpins efforts to engineer improved stress tolerance, crop yield and sustainable production of high-value chemicals from plants.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent work has redefined the plastidic MEP (2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate) pathway as a dual-function system that both supplies isoprenoid precursors and senses oxidative stress. Accumulation of the intermediate MEcDP under elevated reactive-oxygen-species levels triggers antioxidant signalling and remodels pathway flux, suggesting targeted MEP adjustment can boost both stress resilience and terpenoid output. Complementary studies of isoprenyl diphosphate synthases have uncovered a metal-ion-dependent switch in enzyme symmetry that governs the balance of geranyl versus farnesyl diphosphate formation. By altering metal-binding residues, researchers can redirect carbon into distinct terpene classes, offering a biophysical strategy to fine-tune precursor supply for tailored terpenoid production.

Plant Biochemistry publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in plant biochemistry across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

MEP pathway: Plastid-resident 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate route that generates isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate for terpenoid synthesis and doubles as an oxidative-stress sensor.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules, including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide, formed during metabolism; act as damaging agents at high levels and as signalling messengers at low levels.

Isoprenyl diphosphate synthase: Enzyme that condenses isopentenyl diphosphate units into prenyl diphosphates of defined length (e.g., C10 or C15), setting the stage for terpene diversification.

Cyanoalanine synthase (CAS): Mitochondrial enzyme that detoxifies cyanide by condensing it with cysteine to yield β-cyanoalanine, protecting respiration and nitrogen metabolism under stress.

Alternative oxidase (AOX): Non-proton-pumping terminal oxidase in plant mitochondria that sustains electron flow when cytochrome-dependent respiration is compromised by inhibitors or stress.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA): Zinc-dependent enzyme that catalyses reversible interconversion of CO₂ and bicarbonate, enhancing CO₂ supply to Rubisco and contributing to thylakoid pH regulation.

References

  1. Metal-dependent enzyme symmetry guides the biosynthetic flux of terpene precursors. Nature Chemistry (2023).
  2. The methylerythritol phosphate pathway as an oxidative stress sense and response system. Nature Communications (2024).
  3. The role of cyanoalanine synthase and alternative oxidase in promoting salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana. BMC Plant Biology (2023).
  4. Features of Photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana Plants with Knocked Out Gene of Alpha Carbonic Anhydrase 2. Plants (2023).

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