Garlic (A. sativum L.) alliinase gene family polymorphism reflects bolting types and cysteine sulphoxides content

摘要

BackgroundAlliinase is an important enzyme occurring in Allium species that converts precursors of sulfuric compounds, cysteine sulfoxides into a biologically active substance termed allicin. Allicin facilitates garlic defense against pests and produces health-promoting compounds. Alliinase is encoded by members of a multigene family that has not yet been sufficiently characterized, namely with regard to the copy numbers occurring within the genome and the polymorphisms among the family members.