Max-Planck-Institut fŸr PflanzenzŸchtungsforschung, Department of Plant-Microbe Interactions, Carl-von-LinnŽ-Weg 10, 50829 Cologne, Germany. Colonia, Alemania.
RESUMEN (ABSTRACT)
We identified a novel metabolic pathway for glucosinolates, known insect deterrents, that is fundamentally different from the pathway activated by chewing insects. This pathway is active in living plant cells, contributes to glucosinolate turnover, and is essential for broad-spectrum antifungal defense responses. This pathway involves Arabidopsis CYP81F2, encoding a P450 monooxygenase, which is essential for the pathogen-induced accumulation of 4-methoxy-indol-3-ylmethylglucosinolate (4MI3G). The latter compound is activated by the atypical PEN2 myrosinase for antifungal defense. A genome-wide search for genes showing correlated gene expression with PEN2/CYP81F2 identified additional components of the indole glucosinolate metabolite pathway. I will also discuss experiments aimed to understand how nature generated variation of glucosinolate metabolism in Arabidopsis relatives.