Head: C. Douglas Grubb 

Glucosinolates are a diverse class of plant-specific, amino acid-derived secondary metabolites that are mainly synthesized by cruciferous plants, including nutritionally important Brassica crops and the reference species Arabidopsis thaliana. The hydrophilic and stable compounds are normally sequestered in vacuoles of most plant tissues. Loss of cellular integrity initiates glucosinolate hydrolysis followed by non-enzymatic rearrangement, which yields miscellaneous breakdown products. These glucosinolate derivatives not only contribute greatly to the distinctive flavor and aroma of cruciferous vegetables and condiments, but also possess profound biological activities that have been implicated in plant defense and chemical communication, in auxin homeostasis, as well as in the prevention of certain human cancers.

While the pathway of glucosinolate biosynthesis is well understood in Arabidopsis, relatively little is known about its control during plant development and in response to environmental cues. We are interested in the identification of modifiers of glucosinolate production and have taken a multifaceted approach to elucidate its regulation in Arabidopsis and place special emphasis on pathogen-activated hormone (jasmonate, salicylate, ethylene) and calcium signaling circuits. Functionally characterized genes related to glucosinolate metabolism and its control will provide the tools to understand the biological roles of glucosinolates in cruciferous plants and to modify glucosinolate profiles for crop protection against pathogens and insects.