Application of Metabolite-Responsive Biosensors for Plant Natural Products Biosynthesis

Plant natural products (PNPs) have shown various pharmaceutical activities, possessing great potential in global markets. Microbial cell factories (MCFs) provide an economical and sustainable alternative for the synthesis of valuable PNPs compared with traditional approaches. However, the heterologous synthetic pathways always lack native regulatory systems, bringing extra burden to PNPs production. To overcome the challenges, biosensors have been exploited and engineered as powerful tools for establishing artificial regulatory networks to control enzyme expression in response to environments. Here, we reviewed the recent progress involved in the application of biosensors that are responsive to PNPs and their precursors. Specifically, the key roles these biosensors played in PNP synthesis pathways, including isoprenoids, flavonoids, stilbenoids and alkaloids, were discussed in detail.

Automated summary

Plant natural products (PNPs) have enormous potential in global markets, and microbial cell factories (MCFs) offer an economical and sustainable alternative for their synthesis. However, heterologous synthetic pathways often lack native regulatory systems, leading to challenges in PNPs production. To overcome these challenges, biosensors responsive to PNPs and their precursors have been developed and engineered as powerful tools for artificial regulatory networks.