Evolutionary Insights into the Enzymes involved in the Biosynthesis of the Volatile Organic Compounds Isoprene and Pinene in Plants

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (often abbreviated as VOCs) are emitted as secondary metabolites by plants, and contribute to a wide range of ecological processes, owing to their pivotal role in plant interactions with biotic and abiotic variables. As a result, they differ greatly between species and explain disparities in ecological strategy. In an effort to comprehend their genesis and assess potential evolutionary trends, this work probes into the enzymatic pathways that lead to their synthesis. Correspondingly, we adopt and propose an in-silico approach to analyze connections between the species evolution and the gene evolution of two major plant volatile organic compounds. We lay focus on isoprene and pinene, volatile organic compounds synthesized by two common yet compartmentally isolated pathways - the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway and the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway, respectively. Analyses of gene-specific and protein-specific phylogenetic trees of the enzymes involved in these pathways thereby indicate a mixed trend in the evolution as per the APG IV (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group IV) system. These results and the in-silico pipeline thus provide us with future opportunities to explore different networks of plant communication for a holistic understanding of intraspecific and interspecific interactions in different natural ecosystems.