In silico identification of plant-derived secondary metabolites in defense

Abstract

Plant secondary metabolites contribute significantly to the field of agriculture, medicine, and biofuels. These compounds have been a focal point in plant breeding and metabolic engineering. However information on these compounds is lacking severely especially in non-model plants. Through integrated omics approach, we can now study secondary metabolites in model and non-model plants to determine genes, predict gene function, and provide information on pathways that may regulate its biosynthesis and function. Online resources have provided a means to fast-track our understanding on the mechanism involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and how these products are regulated by their environment, developmental stages, and species. The information derived may be utilized in metabolic engineering or in elicitation of the mechanisms involved in its production. As secondary metabolites have been implicated in plant defense mechanism, the understanding of the genes, their function, and their pathways will definitely assist in improving plant defenses against biotic and abiotic stresses. Here we provide a brief overview on the databases and resources available to conduct in silico analysis of plant secondary metabolites and future prospects in utilizing the derived information to improve metabolite function and production in crops.