Abstract Detail

Genetics Section

Windsor, Aaron J. [1], Shumate, Alice M. [1], Formanova, Natasa [1], Mitchell-Olds, Thomas [1].

Ecological Genomics of Glucosinolates in Relatives of Arabidopsis.

Plants must defend themselves against a variety of herbivorous insects. For example, the Brassicaceae have evolved a two-component defense system based upon a diverse class of amino acid derived secondary metabolites, the glucosinolates, and the hydrolysis of these compounds to toxic products by endogenous myrosinase enzymes. We are developing Boechera drummondii and Boechera holboellii as models to investigate glucosinolate function and diversity within an ecological/evolutionary context. In these species, glucosinolates with aliphatic side-chains are the major constituents of the glucosinolate pool. Among methionine-derived glucosinolates, carbon-chain elongation forms the basis of glucosinolate structural diversity, with variation in glucosinolate phenotype being observed in both inter- and intraspecific comparisons. Variation in secondary side-chain modifications is also observed. Quantitative genetic analyses reveal that resistance of these species to a generalist herbivore has a genetic basis and is related to glucosinolate type and quantity. We have constructed genomic libraries from six distinct genotypes. Sequence data obtained from these libraries is being used in the functional analysis of glucosinolate diversity in these species, and to identify the evolutionary
forces shaping this diversity.

1 - Max-Planck-Institut fuer chemische Oekologie, Genetik u. Evolution, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, Jena, D-07745, Germany

Keywords:
Brassicaceae
comparative genomics
insect resistance
glucosinolate
secondary metabolism.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 32-59
Location: Special Event Center (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Time: 12:30 PM
Abstract ID:260