Characterisation of recombinant epithiospecifier protein and its over-expression in Arabidopsis thaliana

Epithiospecifier protein (ESP) together with myrosinase (MYR) and ferrous ions (Fe2+) catalyses formation of epithionitriles. Ectopic expression of ESP in A. thaliana altered the glucosinolate (4-methylsulfinylbutylglucosinolate) product profile from 1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)butane towards the 5-(methylsulfinyl)pentanenitrile. Recombinant ESP was used to examine the formation of 3-hydroxy-3-(thiiran-2-yl)propanenitrile, 2-(thiiran-2-yl)acetonitrile and 5-(methylsulfinyl)pentanenitrile from their respective glucosinolates.