Acylsugars are insecticidal plant specialized metabolites produced in the Solanaceae (nightshade family). Despite having simple constituents, these compounds are unusually structurally diverse. Their structural variations in phylogenetically closely related species enable comparative biochemical approaches to understand acylsugar biosynthesis and pathway diversification. Thus far, varied enzyme classes contributing to their synthesis were characterized in cultivated and wild tomatoes, including from core metabolism - isopropylmalate synthase (Leu) and invertase (carbon) - and a group of evolutionarily related BAHD acyltransferases known as acylsucrose acyltransferases. Gene duplication and neofunctionalization of these enzymes drove acylsugar diversification both within and beyond tomato. The broad set of evolutionary mechanisms underlying acylsugar diversity in Solanaceae make this metabolic network an exemplar for detailed understanding of the evolution of metabolic form and function.

中文翻译：

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毛状体的尖端：茄科酰基糖代谢多样性的进化。

酰糖是茄科（茄科）产生的杀虫植物专门代谢物。尽管成分简单，但这些化合物的结构异常多样。它们在系统发育密切相关的物种中的结构变异使得能够通过比较生化方法来了解酰基糖生物合成和途径多样化。迄今为止，在栽培和野生番茄中对有助于其合成的各种酶类进行了表征，包括核心代谢——异丙基苹果酸合酶（Leu）和转化酶（碳）——以及一组进化相关的 BAHD 酰基转移酶，称为酰基蔗糖酰基转移酶。这些酶的基因复制和新功能化推动了番茄内部和外部的酰基糖多样化。茄科中酰基糖多样性的广泛进化机制使该代谢网络成为详细了解代谢形式和功能进化的范例。