Multiple glutathione-S-transferases detoxify diverse glucosinolate-based defenses of Brassicales plants in a generalist lepidopteran herbivore (Spodoptera littoralis).

ABSTRACT: Brassicales plants defend themselves with glucosinolates that, upon herbivory, are hydrolyzed into toxic isothiocyanates (ITCs) and other derivatives. The side chain diversity of glucosinolates results in a range of structurally distinct products, but how this chemical variation affects herbivores and their detoxification responses remains incompletely understood. Here, we show the effects of ITC hydrolysis products with various side chains on Spodoptera littoralis larvae and their detoxification system. ITCs inhibit larval growth to varying degrees, depending on the chemical nature of their side chain. The larvae metabolize ITCs by conjugating them to glutathione in the mercapturic acid pathway and to lysine forming an amine conjugate. Over half of the 34 S. littoralis glutathione-S-trans

SUBMITTER: Sun R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12174363 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature