Mevalonate-Independent Biosynthesis of Terpenoid Volatiles in Plants: Induced and Constitutive Emission of Volatiles

Terpenoids from flower and leaf volatiles are predominantly synthesized along the mevalonate-independent pathway, as shown by administration of [D₂]deoxy-D -xylulose and [D₅]mevalolactone. The parallel use of two pathways for the biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenoid-derived 4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene (DMNT, see picture) may be important to ensure the synthesis of the volatile alarm codes of plants.