Disarming the mustard oil bomb.

Conference Paper

Plants are attacked by a broad array of herbivores and pathogens. In response, plants deploy an arsenal of defensive traits. In Brassicaceae, the glucosinolate-myrosinase complex is a sophisticated two-component system to ward off opponents. However, this so-called "mustard oil bomb" is disarmed by a glucosinolate sulfatase of a crucifer specialist insect, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Sulfatase activity of this enzyme largely prevents the formation of toxic hydrolysis products arising from this plant defense system. Importantly, the enzyme acts on all major classes of glucosinolates, thus enabling diamondback moths to use a broad range of cruciferous host plants.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Ratzka, A; Vogel, H; Kliebenstein, DJ; Mitchell-Olds, T; Kroymann, J

Published Date

  • August 2002

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 99 / 17

Start / End Page

  • 11223 - 11228

PubMed ID

  • 12161563

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC123237

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1091-6490

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0027-8424

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1073/pnas.172112899