Some caveats for bioengineering terpenoid metabolism in plants

The engineering of terpenoid formation in plants, although highly appealing from a biotechnological viewpoint, is particularly challenging because of the myriad of terpenoids produced from a single intermediate (isopentenyl diphosphate) and the complex organization and subtle regulatory features of the biosynthetic pathways. This article surveys many of the biochemical issues that must be appreciated before attempting to develop rational strategies for the bioengineering of terpenoid biosynthesis.