Evolution of specifier proteins in glucosinolate-containing plants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The glucosinolate-myrosinase system is an activated chemical defense system found in plants of the Brassicales order. Glucosinolates are stored separately from their hydrolytic enzymes, the myrosinases, in plant tissues. Upon tissue damage, e.g. by herbivory, glucosinolates and myrosinases get mixed and glucosinolates are broken down to an array of biologically active compounds of which isothiocyanates are toxic to a wide range of organisms. Specifier proteins occur in some, but not all glucosinolate-containing plants and promote the formation of biologically active non-isothiocyanate products upon myrosinase-catalyzed glucosinolate breakdown.

Results

Based on a phytochemical screening among representatives of the Brassicales order, we selected candidate species f

SUBMITTER: Kuchernig JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3482593 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature