Evolutionary mechanism for biosynthesis of diverse molecules

Abstract

Evolution alters in gene sequence and/or genetic construction that change in mechanisms for biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Plants synthesize a different array of lineage-specific specialized (secondary) metabolites for the fitness of the plants as defense against herbivores and microbes and also as signal factors to entice pollinators and fruit dispersers. The evolution of secondary metabolites also depends on alteration in the enzymatic manipulation of primary precursors. Plant metabolites play a vital role in plant adaptation, in human nutrition and medicine. The diversification of plant metabolic enzymes and primary metabolism evolves potential compounds for cellular homeostasis in selection pressure that is usually supposed to be conserved over the plant kingdom. The enormous changes in chemical diversity of secondary metabolites are occurred during evolution, which play vital role in treatment of severe diseases including cancer. This chapter explains the evolution of secondary metabolites through various evolutionary events occurring in plant system. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.