Plants have evolved diverse chemical defense mechanisms over long-term evolution to resist insect feeding and pathogen infection. Among these, the glucosinolate (GSL)-myrosinase (MYR) system represents one of the most characteristic defense systems in cruciferous plants. Upon tissue damage caused by insects or pathogens, glucosinolates stored in vacuoles come into contact with myrosinase in the cytoplasm. Enzymatic hydrolysis generates highly bioactive breakdown products such as isothiocyanates, nitriles, and thiocarboxylic acids, exerting toxic, repellent, or growth-inhibiting effects on pests.

In natural conditions, the efficacy of the glucosinolate-myrosinase system varies significantly across plant species and tissues. In certain crops, long-term domestication and breeding have downregulated the expression of defense genes, weakening their insect resistance. Lifeasible leads the industry in plant insect resistance research. Leveraging advanced genetic engineering techniques—including gene editing, exogenous gene introduction, and metabolic pathway reconstruction—we achieve efficient expression and coordinated regulation of thioglucoside synthesis gene clusters and myrosinase genes, thereby substantially enhancing crop resistance to insect pests.

The Significance of Glucosinolate-Myrosinase Insect Resistance Enhancement

Our services aim to enhance and optimize this natural defense system through advanced genetic engineering technologies, delivering multiple benefits.

• Reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. By boosting crops' inherent insect resistance, we significantly reduce the use of chemical insecticides in fields, minimizing environmental pollution while protecting farmland ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Addressing pesticide resistance. We target the detoxification mechanisms evolved by pests through tailored genetic engineering strategies, providing novel solutions for managing resistant insect populations.
• Enhancing food safety and value. This approach enables the production of crops with enhanced natural pest resistance, reducing pesticide residues in agricultural products and delivering safer, healthier food.

Our Service for Glucosinolate-Myrosinase Insect Resistance Enhancement

Gene resource screening

We employ bioinformatics approaches to screen and identify key genes regulating crucial glycoside biosynthesis pathways (such as CYP79 and CYP83 family genes) and those governing efficient myrosinase expression from extensive plant germplasm resources.

Construction of expression vectors and transformation systems

We customize expression vectors for target plant types and select suitable promoters. Additionally, we construct single-gene or multi-gene co-expression systems to achieve synergistic enhancement of key GSL pathway enzymes and MYR enzymes.

Metabolic pathway engineering optimization

We precisely regulate existing glucosinolate metabolic pathways in crops through gene editing or transgenic technologies. Services include, but are not limited to, enhancing glucosinolate synthesis and directing hydrolytic product orientation—specifically guiding hydrolysis reactions to preferentially generate insecticidally potent isothiocyanates (ITCs) over less active nitrile compounds.

We also employ synthetic biology strategies to reconstruct complete GSL-MYR pathways in non-natural hosts.

Functional validation and insect resistance evaluation

• We utilize liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantitatively analyze GSL and degradation product levels within plants.
• Conduct resistance evaluations against target pests under laboratory and greenhouse conditions.
• Analyze activation of signaling pathways associated with plant defense responses.

We also provide customized application development services, including the creation of dedicated insect-resistant gene modules for specific crops such as rapeseed and corn, tailored to client requirements.

Our technical workflow

• Customized solutions. Based on the client's target crop and pest resistance requirements, we assess its genetic background and suitable pathways to develop an engineering modification plan.
• Gene design and vector construction. We perform gene synthesis, sequence optimization, and vector assembly to ensure efficient expression.
• Transformation and screening. We select an appropriate transformation system for plant transformation to obtain positive plants.
• Molecular characterization and plant selection. Perform molecular testing on regenerated plants via PCR, sequencing, Western Blot, etc., to screen for positive, high-expression candidate lines.
• Phenotypic analysis and insect bioassays. Cultivate candidate lines under greenhouse conditions, analyze glucosinolate metabolites, and conduct rigorous insect inoculation tests to evaluate practical pest control efficacy.
• Data delivery and technical support. Provide clients with comprehensive experimental data reports, identify superior lines, and provide consultation recommendations for subsequent breeding applications.

Fig.2 Our service process. (Lifeasible)

Highlights of Glucosinolate-Myrosinase Insect Resistance Enhancement Services

• Advanced solutions. We integrate cutting-edge advances in synthetic biology, gene editing, and plant immunology to deliver advanced, reliable integrated solutions.
• Scientifically validated system. Our comprehensive in-house validation platform—spanning metabolite analysis to in vivo insect bioassays—ensures all enhancement effects are backed by robust data.
• Customized services. We offer highly flexible, tailored services to meet diverse client needs, maximizing support for project research requirements.

Our gene-engineered glucosinolate-myrosinase system enhancement service effectively boosts crops' inherent insect resistance, offering a reliable and powerful tool for sustainable agricultural development. With extensive experience in plant insect resistance research, Lifeasible aims to help scientific and agricultural enterprises achieve breakthroughs in insect-resistant crop development through this innovative service, advancing the future of green agriculture and biosafety production. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us.