Effects of Light on Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis in Medicinal Plants.

Shuncang Zhang,Lei Zhang,Youping Wang,Haiyan Zou,Yuwei Zheng,Dongfeng Yang,Lin Qiu

doi:10.3389/fpls.2021.781236

Shuncang Zhang, Lei Zhang + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.781236

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Abstract

Secondary metabolites (SMs) found in medicinal plants are one of main sources of drugs, cosmetics, and health products. With the increase in demand for these bioactive compounds, improving the content and yield of SMs in medicinal plants has become increasingly important. The content and distribution of SMs in medicinal plants are closely related to environmental factors, especially light. In recent years, artificial light sources have been used in controlled environments for the production and conservation of medicinal germplasm. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate how light affects the accumulation of SMs in different plant species. Here, we systematically summarize recent advances in our understanding of the regulatory roles of light quality, light intensity, and photoperiod in the biosynthesis of three main types of SMs (polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids), and the underlying mechanisms. This article provides a detailed overview of the role of light signaling pathways in SM biosynthesis, which will further promote the application of artificial light sources in medicinal plant production.

Highlights

Medicinal plants play pivotal roles in human development and have been used from the prehistoric times to present day
We summarized the regulatory roles of light quality, light intensity, and photoperiod in Secondary metabolites (SMs) accumulation in medicinal plants and the known mechanisms underlying these roles (Figure 4)
When plants are exposed to UV-B radiation, the UVR8 homodimer undergoes monomerization and interacts with CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1), which increases COP1 stability and induces LONG HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) expression

Summary

Introduction

Medicinal plants play pivotal roles in human development and have been used from the prehistoric times to present day. We summarized the regulatory roles of light quality, light intensity, and photoperiod in SM accumulation in medicinal plants and the known mechanisms underlying these roles (Figure 4). When plants are exposed to UV-B radiation, the UVR8 homodimer undergoes monomerization and interacts with CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1), which increases COP1 stability and induces LONG HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) expression.

Results

Conclusion