AUTHOR=Neequaye Mikhaela , Steuernagel Burkhard , Saha Shikha , Trick Martin , Troncoso-Rey Perla , van den Bosch Frans , Traka Maria H. , Østergaard Lars , Mithen Richard 

TITLE=Characterisation of the Introgression of Brassica villosa Genome Into Broccoli to Enhance Methionine-Derived Glucosinolates and Associated Health Benefits

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.855707

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.855707

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Broccoli cultivars that have enhanced accumulation of methionine-derived glucosinolates have been developed through the introgression of a novel allele of the <italic>MYB28</italic> transcription factor from the wild species <italic>Brassica villosa</italic>. Through a novel k-mer approach, we characterised the extent of the introgression of unique <italic>B. villosa</italic> genome sequences into high glucosinolate broccoli genotypes. RNAseq analyses indicated that the introgression of the <italic>B. villosa MYB28</italic> C2 allele resulted in the enhanced expression of the <italic>MYB28</italic> transcription factor, and modified expression of genes associated with sulphate absorption and reduction, and methionine and glucosinolate biosynthesis when compared to standard broccoli. A adenine-thymine (AT) short tandem repeat (STR) was identified within the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) <italic>B. villosa MYB28</italic> allele that was absent from two divergent cultivated forms of <italic>Brassica oleracea</italic>, which may underpin the enhanced expression of <italic>B. villosa MYB28</italic>.</p>