Regulatory networks of glucosinolates shape Arabidopsis thaliana fitness

Abstract

Systems biology approaches address higher levels of complex, but dynamic metabolic regulatory networks utilizing single accessions of a species. This contrasts with the likelihood that plants utilize genetic diversity of both individual genes and regulatory networks as a solution to surviving in a complex environment. This would require systems biology to begin a more inclusive search for 'all' networks within a species. In this review, we will highlight how natural genetic diversity within particularly aliphatic glucosinolates in Arabidopsis thaliana and related species has resulted in highly complex, dynamic regulatory networks enabling the plant to adapt to a highly changing environment. We will discuss how this diversity is essential for the fitness performance of A. thaliana.