Plant science. Biosynthesis, regulation, and domestication of bitterness in cucumber

Science. 2014 Nov 28;346(6213):1084-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1259215.

Abstract

Cucurbitacins are triterpenoids that confer a bitter taste in cucurbits such as cucumber, melon, watermelon, squash, and pumpkin. These compounds discourage most pests on the plant and have also been shown to have antitumor properties. With genomics and biochemistry, we identified nine cucumber genes in the pathway for biosynthesis of cucurbitacin C and elucidated four catalytic steps. We discovered transcription factors Bl (Bitter leaf) and Bt (Bitter fruit) that regulate this pathway in leaves and fruits, respectively. Traces in genomic signatures indicated that selection imposed on Bt during domestication led to derivation of nonbitter cucurbits from their bitter ancestors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cucumis sativus / genetics
  • Cucumis sativus / metabolism*
  • Fruit / genetics
  • Fruit / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
  • Genome, Plant
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plant Leaves / genetics
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism*
  • Plant Proteins / genetics
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism*
  • Taste*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Triterpenes / chemical synthesis
  • Triterpenes / metabolism*

Substances

  • Plant Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Triterpenes
  • cucurbitacin C

Associated data

  • GENBANK/ACHR00000000
  • GENBANK/KM655851
  • GENBANK/KM655852
  • GENBANK/KM655853
  • GENBANK/KM655854
  • GENBANK/KM655855
  • GENBANK/KM655856
  • GENBANK/KM655857
  • GENBANK/KM655858
  • GENBANK/KM655859
  • GENBANK/KM655860
  • GENBANK/KM655861
  • GENBANK/KM655862
  • GENBANK/KM677686
  • GENBANK/KM677687
  • GENBANK/KM677688