Functional genomics exploring the shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathway: the physiological role of shikimate and quinate esters

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The shikimate pathway connects primary metabolism with the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids. In plants, these are indispensable not only for protein biosynthesis, but also for the synthesis of numerous natural products including lignin, which is quantitatively the most important sink of the shikimate pathway. Lignin quantity and composition determines wood quality, but is a major hindrance in pulp and biofuel generation from wood. In recent years, the close relationship between the phenylpropanoid and shikimate pathways has been revisited. It is now clear that the first lignin specific step uses as a cofactor intermediates of the far upstream shikimate pathway (namely shikimate). Here I plan to address the hypothesis that this biochemical coupling may prevent irreversible carbon flow into lignin at times when insufficient amounts of shikimate are available to ensure that sufficient aromatic amino acids are available for other activities (e.g. protein biosynthesis).