An update on the function and regulation of methylerythritol phosphate and mevalonate pathways and their evolutionary dynamics

Abstract

Isoprenoids are among the largest and most chemically diverse classes of organic compounds in nature and are involved in the processes of photosynthesis, respiration, growth, development, and plant responses to stress. The basic building block units for isoprenoid synthesis—isopentenyl diphosphate and its isomer dimethylallyl diphosphate—are generated by the mevalonate (MVA) and methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathways. Here, we summarize recent advances on the roles of the MEP and MVA pathways in plant growth, development and stress responses, and attempt to define the underlying gene networks that orchestrate the MEP and MVA pathways in response to developmental or environmental cues. Through phylogenomic analysis, we also provide a new perspective on the evolution of the plant isoprenoid pathway. We conclude that the presence of the MVA pathway in plants may be associated with the transition from aquatic to subaerial and terrestrial environments, as lineages for its core components are absent in green algae. The emergence of the MVA pathway has acted as a key evolutionary event in plants that facilitated land colonization and subsequent embryo development, as well as adaptation to new and varied environments.

Overexpression of Terpenoid Biosynthesis Genes From Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis) Modulates Rhizobia Interaction and Nodulation in Soybean

“…The cytosolic mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway produces IPP via enzymatic isomerization to DMAPP, both of which serve as substrates for cytosolic farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase (FPS) to form FPP. Whereas the plastidic methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway directly produces both IPP and DMAPP for producing geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and GGPP by the plastidic enzymes GPP synthase (GPPS) and GGPP synthase (GGPPS), respectively ( Chatzivasileiou et al, 2019 ; Pu et al, 2021 ). While FPP in the cytosol serves as a precursor for sterols, saponins, and brassinosteroids, plastidic GGPP is utilized for chlorophyll, carotenoid, strigolactone, abscisic acid, and GA biosynthesis.…”

Full-length transcriptome analysis of multiple organs and identification of adaptive genes and pathways in Mikania micrantha

“…Mikania micrantha plants produce rich terpenoids, especially monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which play an important role in plant growth and development and stress response 59 . In our transcriptome data, we found unigene sequences of key genes in the MVA and MEP pathways.…”

“…Gene encoding DXS was demonstrated to respond to wounding stress by increasing terpene biosynthesis in invasive weed S. elaeagnifolium 11 . Genes encoding AACT, HMGS, HMGR, MPDS, IPPI, FPPS, DXS, DXR, MCT, CMK, MDS, HDS, HDR, and GPPS were found to involve in plant development and growth, pathogen resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance 59 . Germacrene D and linalool are important constituents of sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes in plants.…”

An Update on the Function, Biosynthesis and Regulation of Floral Volatile Terpenoids

“…The metabolic flux flows mainly from the plastic MEP pathway to the cytoplastic MVA pathway [14,174]. MEcPP is a possible rheostat that influences the abundance of upstream enzymes and is instrumental in fine-tuning the flux of the MEP pathway [175,176]. HMGR is the main rate-determining enzyme of the MVA pathway [177].…”