Transcription factors involved in terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis in Catharanthus roseus

Plants produce alkaloids, among others, to protect themselves against microbial infection, herbivore attack or ultraviolet irradiation. For man, alkaloid metabolism is the source of many natural products with useful applications, including pharmaceuticals. A major mechanism regulating alkaloid production in plant cells is the control of the transcription of the biosynthetic genes. Several transcription factors involved in the regulation of alkaloid biosynthesis genes have been isolated and studied. There are indications that the abundance and activities of transcription factors themselves are regulated by external signals. The aim of this review is to give an update on the transcriptional regulation of terpenoid indole metabolism in Catharanthus roseus. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.