Genetic modification of plant secondary metabolite pathways using transcriptional regulators.

Plant secondary metabolism is the source of many natural products with diverse applications, including pharmaceuticals, food colors, dyes and fragrances. Functions in plants include attraction of pollinating insects and protection against pests and pathogens. An important regulatory step in secondary metabolism is transcription of the biosynthetic genes. The aim of this chapter is to discuss results and opportunities concerning modification of secondary metabolism using transcriptional regulators. The transcriptional regulation of two well-studied secondary pathways, the phenylpropanoid pathway and its flavonoid branch, and the terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthetic pathway, are reviewed. Some examples of successful engineering of these pathways via transcriptional regulators are discussed.