Terpenoids are vital for life of most organisms in exerting metabolic control and in mediating intra- and inter-species interactions, for example, pollination and defense in plants. In plant terpenoid biosynthesis two different pathways synthesize the main building block, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) (fig. 1); the methylerythritolphosphate (MEP) pathway (also named 1-deoxy-D-xylulose (DOX) pathway) in the chloroplast forms IPP for mono- and diterpenoids, and the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway in the cytosol, produces IPP for sesquiterpenoids.

fig.1: contribution of both pathways during terpene biosynthesis.

Discrimination of MEP and MVA pathways

To examine the distribution of both pathways (MEP/DOX and MVA) during the terpenoid biosynthesis, two approaches can be used and are currently developed in our group:

Measurement of the natural ¹³C/¹²C isotope ratios of the terpenoids.
Synthesis of labeled precursors and their application to plants.

Elucidation of Terpene Synthase Mechanisms

In collaboration with the Biochemistry Department we elucidate enzyme mechanisms involved during the terpenoid biosynthesis. This is done using labeled of precursors and isolation and characterization of produced volatiles.