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 ...

Plant myrosinases (β-thioglucoside glucohydrolases) are classified into two subclasses, Myr I and Myr II. The biological function of Myr I has been characterized as a major biochemical defense against insect pests and pathogens in cruciferous plants. However, the biological function of Myr II remains obscure. We studied the function of two Myr II member genes AtTGG4 and AtTGG5 in Arabidopsis. R...

After removal of myrosinase activity by concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B chromatography, cell-free extracts of light-grown cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seedlings, catalyzed the sulfation of desulfobenzylglucosinolate (K(m), 0.23 millimolar) to benzylglucosinolate using PAPS (K(m), 1 millimolar) as sulfur donor. Sulfotransferase activity, which was optimal at pH 9.0, was stimulated by MgCl(2), MnCl(2)...

Vegetable protein meals are heated during processing to remove antinutritional factors. For example, soybean meal contains protease inhibitors that reduce protein digestibility, lectins that cause lesions in the gut wall and goitrogens that influence the function of thyroxin. Canola meal can contain glucosinolates, which along with the enzyme myrosinase can produce compounds that irritate the g...