A gene horizontally transferred from bacteria protects arthropods from host plant cyanide poisoning

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.02365
• Publication Date: 2014-04-24T15:51:30Z
• Authors: Nicky Wybouw; Wannes Dermauw; Luc Tirry; Christian Stevens; Miodrag Grbić; René Feyereisen; Thomas Van Leeuwen
• Keywords: Hydrogen cyanide

Cyanogenic glucosides are among the most widespread defense chemicals of plants. Upon plant tissue disruption, these hydrolyzed to a reactive hydroxynitrile that releases toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Yet many mite and lepidopteran species can thrive on plants defended by cyanogenic glucosides. The nature enzyme known detoxify HCN β-cyanoalanine in arthropods has remained enigmatic. Here we identify this transcriptome analysis functional expression. Phylogenetic showed gene is member cysteine synthase family horizontally transferred from bacteria phytophagous mites Lepidoptera. recombinant had both activity but kinetics detoxification was strongly favored. Our results therefore suggest an ancient horizontal transfer originally involved sulfur amino acid biosynthesis co-opted herbivorous produced cyanide.