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