Transcription factors and isoflavonoids

Isoflavonoids are natural products produced almost exclusively by plant species belonging to the legume family. They play an important role in the interaction with environmental micro-organisms, both as phytoalexins and as signals for symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Isoflavonoids are antioxidants and can have additional phytoestrogenic activity. Their inclusion in the human diet, mainly as soybean products, is linked to various health-promoting effects of soy products such as reduced incidence of breast and prostate cancers, and prevention of osteoporosis. Consequently, isoflavonoid preparations are popular as dietary supplements.
 
We aim to identify genes encoding regulators, such as transcription factors, that control isoflavonoid production with the ultimate objective of engineering isoflavonoid production in legumes. Our initial research is being carried out in the model legume Lotus japonicus. We have built a dedicated oligonucleotide array to identify transcription factors that control isoflavonoid production. Several MYB transcription factors are presently being studied in detail. The transcription factor array is also used in our cyanogenesis research program.