Genes for Insecticidal Secondary Metabolites,Multienzyme,Biosynthetic Pathway,Augmentation,Gene Expression

www.molecular-plant-biotechnology.info

Home >> Transgenic Plants >> Genes for other Insecticidal Secondary Metabolites

	Genes for Insecticidal Secondary Metabolites - Secondary metabolites produced by plants have also been implicated in the resistance to insect attack. However, biosynthesis of each of these metabolites involves a series of steps (sometimes even more than one biosynthetic pathway), each controlled by a separate gene. Furthermore, these genes are tissue specific in expression. These features make the production of transgenic plants difficult in this case. CpTI discussed in the previous section is also a secondary metabolite, but its transfer is easier, since it is single gene controlled.
The production of transgenic plants by transfer of genes for entire multienzyme biosynthetic pathway (or for its augmentation) is though not yet achieved, but seems possible in future. For this purpose not only the transfer of genes is required, but the gene expression needs to be regulated, otherwise it leads to 'yield penalty' and also to toxic effect when consumed by humans and livestock. Defined promoter sequences are now available, which will, allow in the transgenic plants, a control over the temporal and spatial expression of genes (or biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites. Utilizing these facilities, transgenic plants with insect resistance due to secondary metobolites will be available in the near future.2,5 dihydroxymethyl.