Work

Plant Terpenoid Diversity: From Pathway Elucidation to Ecological Functions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Terpenoids are the most diverse class of specialized metabolites in plants, despite being derived from two simple precursors, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). Terpene biosynthesis can be broadly divided into two stages: the formation of upstream carbon–hydrogen scaffolds and the downstream modification of these scaffolds. In this review, we first highlight recent advances in the biosynthesis of the upstream carbon–hydrogen backbones. We then discuss the techniques and methodologies used to elucidate the molecular details of the downstream modification reactions, particularly in the context of medicinal plants. Finally, we explore and forecast the future of biological function studies of plant terpenoids, with a specific focus on their roles in planta . This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current research trends and insights into terpene biosynthesis and their functional characterization in plants.

Source: Engineering

DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2025.11.021

Authors: Xiaochen Wang, Guodong Wang

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology

Language: English

Topic: Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,300

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Key Research and Development Program of China Stem Cell and Translational Research