Molecular and metabolic control of secondary metabolism

Secondary metabolism is restricted to specific places in the plant. The concentrations of precursors and end products are the determining factors in the metabolic control of synthesis and breakdown of the compounds involved. Molecular control operates at the level of enzyme amount and gene expression. If the secondary product contains an element in its molecule which is derived from a mineral nutrient in the environment, the operation of the control mechanisms can be studied by varying the concentration of that mineral. This is exemplified by thiophene metabolism in root cultures of Tagetes. The characteristic groups in the molecule are two five-membered rings with a sulphur atom. In the experiments, the rate of thiophene biosynthesis was manipulated by varying the sulphate concentration in the medium. Sulphur limitation led to preferential channeling of sulphur into primary metabolism and a concomitant drop in thiophene biosynthesis. The major part of the reduction was caused by a drop in enzyme activity, Substrate availability played a minor role. The results indicate that sulphur is involved in the molecular control of secondary metabolism in Tagetes.