There are few, if any, groups of organisms that can match higher plants in the uniqueness and diversity of their chemical constituents. The rationale for this graduate level course is that a strong background in plant biology would not be complete without an awareness of biochemistry and metabolism which is unique to plant cells. The goal of this course is to complement the subjects covered in the core courses in plant biology available at Penn State, by providing an overview of plant metabolic pathways and their "specialty" products. Topics such as photosynthesis and carbohydrate biochemistry, which are well covered in other courses, will be dealt with only insofar as they illustrate principles of metabolic regulation (first part of the course). After an introduction to the general principles of plant metabolism and discussion of experimental approaches, each group of phytochemicals and their corresponding metabolic pathways will be discussed from the structural, functional, metabolic, enzymological and molecular (where information is available) points of view. We will also attempt to provide the ecological and economic connections unique to the various phytochemicals discussed in class. This may not be possible in all cases, but we will strive to give as holistic a perspective as possible. The readings assigned from the textbooks will be complemented by recent reviews and original papers.
This web page is the result of a group project implemented as a plant biochemistry resource for the Penn State community (and anyone else who is interested) and as a general resource for the instruction of this course.
[INTRODUCTION]
[GENERAL PATHWAY ILLUSTRATION]
[PETUNIA]
[MAIZE]
[GRAPE]
[ARABIDOPSIS]
[CONCLUSIONS]
STUDENTS INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS WEB PAGE:
Merrilee Anderson,
Plant Pathology (mga3@psu.edu)
Rejane Guimaraes, Plant Physiology (rlg167@psu.edu)
Jae Hak Kim, Entomology (jxk35@psu.edu)
Toni Schaeffer, Plant Physiology (txs26@psu.edu)
Computer Simulation Models
Phenylalanine, Tyrosine and Tryptophan Biosynthesis
Kyoto
Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)
KEGG Links to other sites
Metabolic Database- Any pathway you can think of!
Metabolic Plant Physiology Links
Diseased Potato Metabolic Pathway (Takes a while-but worth it!)
General structures of flavonoids and anthocyanins
Anthocyanin biosynthesis (maize and Arabidopsis
genes)
Anthocyanin biosynthesis in snapdragon
Phenylpropanoid metabolism - secondary metabolites
The Color Purple: 1992 article on effects of
phosphorus on anthocyanin
Role of Anthocyanins in Evolution...
Anthocyanin modifications in Petunia
Typical Colors of Petunia Petals Before Extraction
(and some references)
Cosuppression of Chalcone synthase (Chs) genes in
petunia
Light requirement for anthocyanin pigmentation of C
aleurones
Chandler Lab: They focus on the role of the B
protein
Anthocyanin regulatory mutations in pea (compared to
maize)
Anthocyanin gene expression in grapevine sports
differing in berry skin colour
Cloning of Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Genes of Grape
(Vitis vinifera)
Bioflavonoids from grape touted for health benefits
Everything
known about Arabidopsis (and more!)
Exploring the Flavonoid Enzyme Metabolon
Stanford (Walbot Lab)- Maize and Arabidopsis
Arabidopsis mutants to understand UVB Protection
Mechanisms
Tannins and proanthocyanidins (condensed
tannins)
Blueberry, cranberry, and grape (wine)
flavonoids and anthocyanins in human health
This page has been accessed times since January 28,
1999.
© Copyright 1998. All rights reserved.
This web page was last updated on 01/28/99.
Questions or Comments, please contact the site supervisor (hef1@psu.edu) or webmaster (txs26@psu.edu).