Genetic Control of Natural Variation in Arabidopsis Glucosinolate Accumulation

• DOI: 10.1104/pp.126.2.811
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T04:59:39Z
• Authors: Daniel J. Klieben...; Juergen Kroymann; Paul Brown; Antje Figuth; Deana Pedersen; Jonathan Gershenzon; Thomas Mitchell-Olds
• Keywords: Brassicaceae; Ecotype

Abstract Glucosinolates are biologically active secondary metabolites of the Brassicaceae and related plant families that influence plant/insect interactions. Specific glucosinolates can act as feeding deterrents or stimulants, depending upon insect species. Hence, natural selection might favor presence diverse glucosinolate profiles within a given We determined quantitative qualitative variation in leaves seeds 39 Arabidopsis ecotypes. identified 34 different glucosinolates, which majority chain-elongated compounds derived from methionine. Polymorphism at only five loci was sufficient to generate 14 qualitatitvely leaf profiles. Thus, there appears be modular genetic system regulating Arabidopsis. This allows rapid generation new combinations response changing herbivory other selective pressures. In addition profiles, we found nearly 20-fold difference quantity total aliphatic were able identify single locus controls three-quarters this variation.