Beyond defense: GTR-mediated uptake of glucosinolates drives growth and structural reprogramming in broccoli seedlings
Abstract
Exogenous application of glucosinolates (GSLs) has previously been reported to act as a biostimulant, enhancing crop resilience and growth. However, the molecular mechanisms governing their uptake and metabolic integration remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of glucosinolate transporters (GTRs) in the active internalization of exogenous GSLs and their subsequent impact on the early development of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) seedlings. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining Xenopus laevis oocyte heterologous expression, confocal microscopy with fluorescent GSL derivatives, and RNA-seq analysis, we demonstrated that broccoli seedlings actively uptake exogenous GSLs through the root system. Accordingly, functional characterization confirmed that BolGTR1.2, BolGTR2.2, BolGTR2.3, and BolGTR3.3 are high-efficiency transporters capable of translocating both aliphatic and indolic GSLs. Together, GSL profiling, time-course RT-qPCR, and Day 7 RNA-seq revealed that GSL internalization triggers a biphasic response: an initial "consumption phase," followed by a compensatory upregulation of de novo GSL biosynthetic machinery by Day 7. This metabolic "shortcut" bypasses the energetically costly sulfate reduction pathway, allowing for the reallocation of cellular energy toward structural growth, which was evidenced by the induction of cell wall remodeling genes (XTH, PAE8, GAE) and a measurable increase in seedling biomass. Collectively, our findings support the hypothesis that GSLs are not merely defensive compounds but dynamic metabolic reserves that coordinate resource allocation.
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BibTeX
@article{albaladejomarico2026beyond,
title = {{Beyond defense: GTR-mediated uptake of glucosinolates drives growth and structural reprogramming in broccoli seedlings}},
author = {Lorena Albaladejo-Marico and Christa Kanstrup and Christoph Crocoll and Micaela Carvajal and Josip Tomas and Marie Schuler and Arnaud Tatibouet and Hussam Hassan Nour-Eldin and Lucia Yepes-Molina},
journal = {Plant Physiology},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1093/plphys/kiag556},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05768931v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Beyond defense: GTR-mediated uptake of glucosinolates drives growth and structural reprogramming in broccoli seedlings
AU - Lorena Albaladejo-Marico
AU - Christa Kanstrup
AU - Christoph Crocoll
AU - Micaela Carvajal
AU - Josip Tomas
AU - Marie Schuler
AU - Arnaud Tatibouet
AU - Hussam Hassan Nour-Eldin
AU - Lucia Yepes-Molina
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/04
JO - Plant Physiology
DO - 10.1093/plphys/kiag556
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05768931v1
AB - Exogenous application of glucosinolates (GSLs) has previously been reported to act as a biostimulant, enhancing crop resilience and growth. However, the molecular mechanisms governing their uptake and metabolic integration remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of glucosinolate transporters (GTRs) in the active internalization of exogenous GSLs and their subsequent impact on the early development of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) seedlings. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining Xenopus laevis oocyte heterologous expression, confocal microscopy with fluorescent GSL derivatives, and RNA-seq analysis, we demonstrated that broccoli seedlings actively uptake exogenous GSLs through the root system. Accordingly, functional characterization confirmed that BolGTR1.2, BolGTR2.2, BolGTR2.3, and BolGTR3.3 are high-efficiency transporters capable of translocating both aliphatic and indolic GSLs. Together, GSL profiling, time-course RT-qPCR, and Day 7 RNA-seq revealed that GSL internalization triggers a biphasic response: an initial "consumption phase," followed by a compensatory upregulation of de novo GSL biosynthetic machinery by Day 7. This metabolic "shortcut" bypasses the energetically costly sulfate reduction pathway, allowing for the reallocation of cellular energy toward structural growth, which was evidenced by the induction of cell wall remodeling genes (XTH, PAE8, GAE) and a measurable increase in seedling biomass. Collectively, our findings support the hypothesis that GSLs are not merely defensive compounds but dynamic metabolic reserves that coordinate resource allocation.
SN - 0032-0889
SN - 1532-2548
ER -