AUTHOR=Abrahams R. Shawn , Pires J. Chris , Schranz M. Eric 

TITLE=Genomic Origin and Diversification of the Glucosinolate MAM Locus

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2020.00711

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2020.00711

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Glucosinolates are a diverse group of plant metabolites that characterize the order Brassicales. The <italic>MAM</italic> locus is one of the most significant QTLs for glucosinolate diversity. However, most of what we understand about evolution at the locus is focused on only a few species and not within a phylogenetic context. In this study, we utilize a micro-synteny network and phylogenetic inference to investigate the origin and diversification of the <italic>MAM</italic>/IPMS gene family. We uncover unique <italic>MAM</italic>-like genes found at the orthologous locus in the Cleomaceae that shed light on the transition from <italic>IPMS</italic> to <italic>MAM</italic>. In the Brassicaceae, we identify six distinct <italic>MAM</italic> clades across Lineages I, II, and III. We characterize the evolutionary impact and consequences of local duplications, transpositions, whole genome duplications, and gene fusion events, generating several new hypothesizes on the function and diversity of the <italic>MAM</italic> locus.</p>