A naturally occurring variation in the BrMAM-3 gene is associated with aliphatic glucosinolate accumulation in Brassica rapa leaves

Abstract

Giving vegetables a nutritional upgrade The identification of a gene controlling the production of a critical class of plant metabolites could enable researchers to engineer healthier crops. Vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli generate various glucosinolates as a defense mechanism against pests and disease. But these molecules also have nutritional and medicinal value, and researchers led by Xiaowu Wang at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have homed in on a key step in their manufacturing process. Working with the model species Brassica rapa, Wang and colleagues learned that a gene called BrMAM-3 performs the critical first step in synthesizing a major class of glucosinolates. Manipulation of this gene as well as those encoding the enzymes that subsequently shape the functional characteristics of the resulting glucosinolates could yield enhanced vegetables that are even healthier for consumers.