Sulfur Deficiency-Induced Glucosinolate Catabolism Attributed to Two β-Glucosidases, BGLU28 and BGLU30, is Required for Plant Growth Maintenance under Sulfur Deficiency

Abstract

Sulfur (S) is an essential element for plants, and S deficiency causes severe growth retardation. Although the catabolic process of glucosinolates (GSLs), the major S-containing metabolites specific to Brassicales including Arabidopsis, has been recognized as one of the S deficiency (-S) responses in plants, the physiological function of this metabolic process is not clear. Two β-glucosidases (BGLUs), BGLU28 and BGLU30, are assumed to be responsible for this catabolic process as their transcript levels were highly upregulated by -S. To clarify the physiological function of BGLU28 and BGLU30 and their roles in GSL catabolism, we analyzed the accumulation of GSLs and other S-containing compounds in the single and double mutant lines of BGLU28 and BGLU30 and in wild-type plants under different S conditions. GSL levels were highly increased, while the levels of sulfate, cysteine, glutathione and protein were decreased in the double mutant line of BGLU28 and BGLU30 (bglu28/30) under -S. Furthermore, transcript level of Sulfate Transporter1;2, the main contributor of sulfate uptake from the environment, was increased in bglu28/30 mutants under -S. With these metabolic and transcriptional changes, bglu28/30 mutants displayed obvious growth retardation under -S. Overall, our results indicate that BGLU28 and BGLU30 are required for -S-induced GSL catabolism and contribute to sustained plant growth under -S by recycling sulfate to primary S metabolism.

Keywords: Arabidopsis thaliana; Glucosinolate catabolism; Glucosinolates; Plant growth; Sulfur deficiency; β-Glucosidases.