Glucoraphanin and Sulforaphane Biosynthesis Mediated by Melatonin and Nitric Oxide in Hairy Roots of Broccoli: Insights from Transcriptome Data

The study explored the role of melatonin (MT) in the synthesis of glucoraphanin (GRA) and sulforaphane (SF), compounds found in broccoli with anti-cancer properties. Using hairy roots of broccoli treated with 500 μmol/L MT, it was found that MT regulates the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which mediate the synthesis of GRA and SF. The highest yields of these compounds and NO content were observed at 12 hours of MT treatment. NO synthase inhibitors reduced NO content and GRA and SF yield, but MT counteracted this effect by regulating NO synthesis-related enzymes. The study concluded that MT can regulate the synthesis of GRA and SF in broccoli hairy roots by mediating NO and H2O2, providing insights into the complex molecular mechanism of MT's regulation of GRA and SF biosynthesis.