Uncovering the complex metabolic network underlying diterpenoid phytoalexin biosynthesis in rice and other cereal crop plants

Recent identification of the genes encoding diterpene synthases involved in rice phytoalexin biosynthesis has enabled insight into the evolution of the corresponding metabolic pathways, including evidence suggesting that this type of phytochemical production occurs throughout the cereal crop plant family and is an important component of their defense response.