Metabolism secondary metabolites

Development is composed of two phenomena, growth and differentiation. The latter is the progressive diversification of structure and function of cells in an organism or the acquisition of differences during development [47]. Differentiation encompasses both morphological differentiation (morphogenesis) and chemical differentiation (secondary metabolism). Secondary metabolites produced by chemical differentiation processes also function in morphological and chemical differentiation. 

Type 2. Type-2 processes include fermentations in which there is no direct connection between growth and product formation and also no direct or indirect link to primary metabolism (secondary metabolites), for example, penicillin and streptomycin. 

Epoxides are often encountered in nature, both as intermediates in key biosynthetic pathways and as secondary metabolites. The selective epoxidation of squa-lene, resulting in 2,3-squalene oxide, for example, is the prelude to the remarkable olefin oligomerization cascade that creates the steroid nucleus [7]. Tetrahydrodiols, the ultimate products of metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bind to the nucleic acids of mammalian cells and are implicated in carcinogenesis [8], In organic synthesis, epoxides are invaluable building blocks for introduction of diverse functionality into the hydrocarbon backbone in a 1,2-fashion. It is therefore not surprising that chemistry of epoxides has received much attention [9]. 

The main product is independently elaborated by the organism and does not arise directly from energy metabolism (die product is a secondary metabolite). Example antibiotics such as penicillin and streptomycin. 

In the interdisciplinary field of biophysics and biotechnology, the bioeffects of electric field have received considerable interest for both fundamental studies on these interaction mechanisms and potential application. However, the effects of pulsed electric field (PEF) on secondary metabolism in plant cell cultures and fermentation processes have been unknown. Therefore, it would be very interesting to find out whether PEF could be used as a new tool for stimulating secondary metabolism in plant cell cultures for potential application to the value-added plant-specific secondary metabolite production. Furthermore, if the PEF permeabilization and elicitation are discovered in a cell culture system, the combination of... 

Detection by LDMS and structural elucidation of other secondary metabolite products, generated in the host during the onset of the parasite disease, is discussed. These molecules may serve as additional biomarkers for rapid malaria diagnosis by LDMS. For instance, choline phosphate (CP) is identified as the source of several low-mass ions observed in parasite-infected blood samples in addition to heme biomarker ions. The CP levels track the sample parasitemia levels. This biomarker can provide additional specificity and sensitivity when compared to malaria detection based on heme ion signals alone. Furthermore the observed elevated CP levels are discussed in the context of Plasmodium metabolism during its intra-erythrocytic life cycle. These data can... 

Nielsen, J. (1998) The role of metabolic engineering in the production of secondary metabolites. Current Opinion in Microbiology, 1, 330—336. 

Assuming that the metabolic pathways are similar in the biosynthesis of related isocyanoterpenes, these studies remain difficult, due in part to the competitive formation of other secondary metabolites. In addition to the common trio (-NC, NCS, -NHCHO) of the nitrogenous functions found attached to these skeletons, analogs such as -CN, -CNO, and -SCN foreshadow the complexity of identifying and selecting specific precursors to be targeted for incorporation into the family of marine isonitriles. 

The general metabolism of sulfur, extensively described in many texts of biological sciences, is not considered in this article some topics (e.g. metallo-enzymes) are discussed elsewhere in this volume (Chapter 11.2). Our focus is on sulfur-containing secondary metabolites in microorganisms and plants. In view of the vast literature, we can only provide an eclectic account citing recent work where possible. 

Plant metabolism can be separated into primary pathways that are found in all cells and deal with manipulating a uniform group of basic compounds, and secondary pathways that occur in specialized cells and produce a wide variety of unique compounds. The primary pathways deal with the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and act through the many-step reactions of glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the pentose phosphate shunt, and lipid, protein, and nucleic acid biosynthesis. In contrast, the secondary metabolites (e.g., terpenes, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, lignin, flavonoids, coumarins, and related compounds) are produced by the shikimic, malonic, and mevalonic acid pathways, and the methylerythritol phosphate pathway (Fig. 3.1). This chapter concentrates on the synthesis and metabolism of phenolic compounds and on how the activities of these pathways and the compounds produced affect product quality. 

Plants produce an amazing diversity of secondary metabolites that not only play important biological roles in their adaptation to environments but also provide humans with dyes, flavors, drugs, fragrance, and other useful chemicals. However, many of the secondary metabolic pathways are found or are amplified only in limited taxonomic groups. In addition, the compounds are often restricted to a particular... 

Specificity of molecular bioactivity and differentially induced defenses are only two examples of factors that can confound the interpretation of patterns at the macroscale. As our knowledge of marine systems continues to expand, the relative abundance of secondary metabolites in different geographic locations may be better understood. However, the literature supports the idea that local pressures and habitat, genetic composition, mode of response and metabolism of the algae play a significant role in shaping distribution patterns of secondary metabolites (e.g. Wright... 

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