Dissertation
Biosynthesis of plant allyl/propenyl-phenols and 9,9'-deoxygenated lignans
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
12/2008
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005947
Abstract
The elaboration of the phenylpropanoid pathway, 400-450 million years ago, is thought to represent one of the major steps that afforded the opportunity for land colonization by plants. Perhaps the most important and widespread outcome of this pathway is the ability to produce structural polymers (lignins) that are deposited in cell walls, which help confer resistance against diverse environmental/physical stresses and which allow plants to stand upright. Additionally, further development of this pathway also resulted in branching metabolic pathways for synthesis of specialized lower molecular weight phenylpropanoids; some of these contribute to many aspects of plant defense, others have roles in pollinator attraction, and others are of interest to humans as regards flavors, fragrances, medicinals and in health protection. This dissertation describes the elucidation of biochemical pathways leading to monomeric plant phenylpropanoid derivatives, allylphenols and propenylphenols, as well as our attempts to understand further downstream metabolism in a few selected species. Allyl/propenyl-phenols are important volatile components of the aromas and flavors of historically important spices and herbs, and they are also presumed to serve as substrates for coupling reactions that result in 9,9?-deoxygenated lignans. Here, the hitherto unknown intermediates within this pathway are established, along with the identification and characterization of some genes and encoded enzymes that play crucial roles in side-chain deoxygenation, namely monolignol acyltransferases and monolignol ester reductases. These discoveries can now be exploited through the generation of transgenic plants, thus potentially creating new sources of flavor compounds, polymers and biofuels.
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Details
- Title
- Biosynthesis of plant allyl/propenyl-phenols and 9,9'-deoxygenated lignans
- Creators
- Daniel Giddings Vassao
- Contributors
- Norman G. Lewis (Chair)Laurence B. Davin (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Institute of Biological ChemistryDiana L Bedgar (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- School of Molecular Biosciences
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 563
- Identifiers
- 99901055031001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation