Unlocking the Role of Flavonoids as Molecular Biosensors - Abstract
The specialized metabolites found in plants have a wide spectrum of bioactivities and several uses in daily life. Significant progress has been made in recent years in both the identification of numerous such metabolites in various plant species and the clarification of their biosynthesis routes. The biological activities of plant-specific metabolites are still unclear, and proposed uses need a clear molecular basis. The comprehension of the functions of flavonoids is often impeded by their fluctuating synthesis and their distinct spatial and temporal deposition within plant structures and systems over the course of a plant’s developmental stages. The present review suggests the utilization of synthetic biology techniques to develop and enhance genetically encoded biosensors for the identification of diverse types of flavonoids in a consistent and efficient manner. This
methodology will aid in identifying the exact localization of flavonoids within tissues and individual cells. The acquisition of this information would prove valuable in the creation of comprehensive system-level models pertaining to flavonoid biosynthesis. These models would ultimately showcase the integration of flavonoid biosynthesis with the fundamental processes of plant growth and development.