Characterisation of the Introgression of Genome Into Broccoli to Enhance Methionine-Derived Glucosinolates and Associated Health Benefits.

Broccoli cultivars that have enhanced accumulation of methionine-derived glucosinolates have been developed through the introgression of a novel allele of the transcription factor from the wild species . Through a novel k-mer approach, we characterised the extent of the introgression of unique genome sequences into high glucosinolate broccoli genotypes. RNAseq analyses indicated that the introgression of the C2 allele resulted in the enhanced expression of the transcription factor, and modified expression of genes associated with sulphate absorption and reduction, and methionine and glucosinolate biosynthesis when compared to standard broccoli. A adenine-thymine (AT) short tandem repeat (STR) was identified within the 5' untranslated region (UTR) allele that was absent from two divergent cultivated forms of , which may underpin the enhanced expression of .