Computational Biology
Specialized metabolism
In bacteria and plants, specialized metabolism supplies the organisms with molecules that mediate interactions with other organisms or the abiotic environment. Defined as “not primary metabolism,” it consists of species- or lineage-specific metabolic pathways that are not directly essential for survival. In bacteria, where primary metabolic pathways are highly diverse, it may be more broadly defined as metabolic pathways which mediate interactions. Frequently, these pathways have recently evolved and may even be currently evolving. They thus provide a window into evolutionary processes not afforded by studies of primary metabolism.
Current projects Bräutigam
- Monoterpenoid synthesis in tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
© Marvin Hildebrandt Tansy populations produce a diverse array of monoterpenoids with individual plants varying in their monoterpenoid profiles. We use pan-transcriptome analyses and genome sequencing to identify candidate enzymes, terpene synthases, P450s, dehydrogenases, and acetyl transferases responsible for monoterpenoid synthesis. We test the functional predictions in E. coli and transfer the enzymes to small scale production strains for in vivo biosynthesis. The pan-transcriptome and genome analyses allow us to trace the evolution of novel enzyme functions down to single amino acids.
- Transcriptional regulation of specialized metabolism in Asteraceae and Solanaceae
Specialized metabolism (also known as secondary metabolism) produces metabolites which are specific to plant species or groups of plant species. Photosynthesis is part of the primary metabolism, is present in nearly all plant species and is highly conserved with regard to its genes and its regulation. In contrast, specialized metabolism is highly variable in all points, providing insights into recent evolutionary events. Our target organisms are tansy (Tancetum vulgare) and the bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara).
For both organisms, we generated de novo genome sequence assemblies. We use RNA-seq data to produce hypotheses about transcription factors controlling terpenoid biosynthesis in tansy and steroidal glycoalkaloids in the bittersweet nightshade. DAP-seq is used to test whether the candidate TFs indeed bind the respective target genes in the genomes and comparative evolutionary analyses are used to test the evolutionary origins of the regulon.
