Tomatoes lose their bitterness and toxicity as they ripen thanks to DNA demethylation, the hormone ethylene, and key transcription factors, finds a new #ScienceAdvances study. scim.ag/4bfdr8u
Removal of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids and bitterness in tomato is controlled by a complex epigenetic and genetic network
A complex regulatory network controls the removal of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids during tomato ripening.
scim.ag
February 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Tomatoes lose their bitterness and toxicity as they ripen thanks to DNA demethylation, the hormone ethylene, and key transcription factors, finds a new #ScienceAdvances study. scim.ag/4bfdr8u
Potato plants belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The flowers & young tubers contain compounds called glycoalkaloids, which are poisonous The full grown tubers generally don’t contain enough to cause harm. I’d be long gone they did. #flowers #food #nature #photo 🧪🌿🌎
April 18, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Multiomics dissection of the structural and biosynthetic diversity of steroidal glycoalkaloids in wild potatoes (Zhong Zhang , Yingmei Wu , Jiangyue Long , et al) doi.org/10.1093/plph... #PlantScience @aspbofficial
Multiomics dissection of the structural and biosynthetic diversity of steroidal glycoalkaloids in wild potatoes
Multiomics analyses identify biosynthesis genes catalyzing the structural diversity of steroidal glycoalkaloids in wild potatoes.
doi.org
May 27, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Multiomics dissection of the structural and biosynthetic diversity of steroidal glycoalkaloids in wild potatoes (Zhong Zhang , Yingmei Wu , Jiangyue Long , et al) doi.org/10.1093/plph... #PlantScience @aspbofficial
Important plant biology
A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids
Decades of research on the infamous antinutritional steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) in Solanaceae plants have provided deep insights into their metabolism and roles. However, engineering SGAs in heter...
www.science.org
December 27, 2024 at 7:16 PM
Important plant biology
Hacking a better, sweeter tomato! Removal of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids and bitterness in tomato is controlled by a complex epigenetic and genetic network
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Removal of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids and bitterness in tomato is controlled by a complex epigenetic and genetic network
A complex regulatory network controls the removal of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids during tomato ripening.
www.science.org
February 25, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Hacking a better, sweeter tomato! Removal of toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids and bitterness in tomato is controlled by a complex epigenetic and genetic network
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Tomatoes in the Galápagos show evolution is not directional
Demonstrating a complex interplay between enzyme function, genetic variation, and evolutionary adaptation.
Enzymatic twists evolved stereo-divergent alkaloids in the Solanaceae family 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Demonstrating a complex interplay between enzyme function, genetic variation, and evolutionary adaptation.
Enzymatic twists evolved stereo-divergent alkaloids in the Solanaceae family 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
August 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Tomatoes in the Galápagos show evolution is not directional
Demonstrating a complex interplay between enzyme function, genetic variation, and evolutionary adaptation.
Enzymatic twists evolved stereo-divergent alkaloids in the Solanaceae family 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Demonstrating a complex interplay between enzyme function, genetic variation, and evolutionary adaptation.
Enzymatic twists evolved stereo-divergent alkaloids in the Solanaceae family 🧪
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🍅 Too good to save for #TomatoTuesday! Some great #PlantScience and #MetabolicEngineering of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato. @wileylifesci.bsky.social 🍅
Dissecting the biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic engineering of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... @jipb.bsky.social
Dissecting the biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic engineering of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato
This mini-review synthesizes recent advances in the biosynthesis and regulation of tomato steroidal glycoalkaloids and discusses the potential applications of metabolic engineering for targeted modul...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
🍅 Too good to save for #TomatoTuesday! Some great #PlantScience and #MetabolicEngineering of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato. @wileylifesci.bsky.social 🍅
The protein GAME15 is the missing link in the pathway that Solanum plants like potatoes use to make molecules for pest defense, a new Science study finds. The results pave the way for innovative applications in agriculture and biotechnology.
A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids
Decades of research on the infamous antinutritional steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) in Solanaceae plants have provided deep insights into their metabolism and roles. However, engineering SGAs in heterologous hosts has remained a challenge. We discovered...
scim.ag
January 9, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The protein GAME15 is the missing link in the pathway that Solanum plants like potatoes use to make molecules for pest defense, a new Science study finds. The results pave the way for innovative applications in agriculture and biotechnology.
Dissecting the biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic engineering of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... @jipb.bsky.social
Dissecting the biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic engineering of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato
This mini-review synthesizes recent advances in the biosynthesis and regulation of tomato steroidal glycoalkaloids and discusses the potential applications of metabolic engineering for targeted modul...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Dissecting the biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic engineering of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... @jipb.bsky.social
I can't believe I'm doing this, but fox (like dogs) are susceptible to glycoalkaloids that are present in unripe tomatoes. Gotta hand it, as always, to the Finns.
August 17, 2024 at 8:52 PM
I can't believe I'm doing this, but fox (like dogs) are susceptible to glycoalkaloids that are present in unripe tomatoes. Gotta hand it, as always, to the Finns.
Multiplex knockout of fruit specific biosynthetic genes (terpene synthase, P450, UGT) in tomato produces fruits depleted of carotenoid & steroidal glycoalkaloid, which could be used as a chassis to produce value-added chemicals.
From: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#PlantScience #SecMet
From: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#PlantScience #SecMet
![Heatmaps (carotenoids, left) and (steroidal glycoalkaloids [SGA], right) in fruit and leaf. Each row is a metabolite, and each column is edited plant or WT control. Strong depletion can be observed in key abundant carotenoids or SGA in the fruit with minimal changes in the leaf.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:zkedq2pjr7lcizawxkhto32a/bafkreihz6vbjckrorduabkd47qlo4gyftraomrip3wtffnprnoxvbt35ce)
May 16, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Multiplex knockout of fruit specific biosynthetic genes (terpene synthase, P450, UGT) in tomato produces fruits depleted of carotenoid & steroidal glycoalkaloid, which could be used as a chassis to produce value-added chemicals.
From: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#PlantScience #SecMet
From: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
#PlantScience #SecMet
I just found out that potatoes can kill you, and I don't think I will ever forget that. ☹️🥔
#glycoalkaloids
#glycoalkaloids
December 8, 2025 at 3:56 AM
I just found out that potatoes can kill you, and I don't think I will ever forget that. ☹️🥔
#glycoalkaloids
#glycoalkaloids
🍅 It's #TomatoTuesday on Thursday!
🍅This time,🍅we join🍅Chen et al. as they investigate the #biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic #engineering of #antifungal, #antibacterial,🍅and #anticancer compounds in #tomato.🍅
🍅 doi.org/10.1111/jipb...
@wileylifesci.bsky.social
#PlantSci #SynBio #Pharming
🍅This time,🍅we join🍅Chen et al. as they investigate the #biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic #engineering of #antifungal, #antibacterial,🍅and #anticancer compounds in #tomato.🍅
🍅 doi.org/10.1111/jipb...
@wileylifesci.bsky.social
#PlantSci #SynBio #Pharming
Dissecting the biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic engineering of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato
This mini-review synthesizes recent advances in the biosynthesis and regulation of tomato steroidal glycoalkaloids and discusses the potential applications of metabolic engineering for targeted modul...
doi.org
January 22, 2026 at 12:49 PM
🍅 It's #TomatoTuesday on Thursday!
🍅This time,🍅we join🍅Chen et al. as they investigate the #biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic #engineering of #antifungal, #antibacterial,🍅and #anticancer compounds in #tomato.🍅
🍅 doi.org/10.1111/jipb...
@wileylifesci.bsky.social
#PlantSci #SynBio #Pharming
🍅This time,🍅we join🍅Chen et al. as they investigate the #biosynthesis, regulation, and metabolic #engineering of #antifungal, #antibacterial,🍅and #anticancer compounds in #tomato.🍅
🍅 doi.org/10.1111/jipb...
@wileylifesci.bsky.social
#PlantSci #SynBio #Pharming
📜 A scaffold protein manages the biosynthesis of steroidal defense metabolites in plants
🧑🔬 Marianna Boccia, @oconnorlab.bsky.social, Prashant D. Sonawane, et al.
📔 @science.org
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#️⃣ #PlantScience #PlantImmunity #PlantMetabolites #PlantSynthBio #Tomato #Saponins
🧑🔬 Marianna Boccia, @oconnorlab.bsky.social, Prashant D. Sonawane, et al.
📔 @science.org
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#️⃣ #PlantScience #PlantImmunity #PlantMetabolites #PlantSynthBio #Tomato #Saponins
A scaffold protein manages the biosynthesis of steroidal defense metabolites in plants
Solanaceae plants produce two major classes of valuable sterol-derived natural products—steroidal glycoalkaloids and steroidal saponins—from a common cholesterol precursor. Attempts to heterologously ...
www.science.org
December 20, 2024 at 7:41 AM
📜 A scaffold protein manages the biosynthesis of steroidal defense metabolites in plants
🧑🔬 Marianna Boccia, @oconnorlab.bsky.social, Prashant D. Sonawane, et al.
📔 @science.org
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#️⃣ #PlantScience #PlantImmunity #PlantMetabolites #PlantSynthBio #Tomato #Saponins
🧑🔬 Marianna Boccia, @oconnorlab.bsky.social, Prashant D. Sonawane, et al.
📔 @science.org
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#️⃣ #PlantScience #PlantImmunity #PlantMetabolites #PlantSynthBio #Tomato #Saponins
Changing 4 amino acid residues switched enzymatic products btw S & R isomers of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato. The R isomer is better against a specialist pest, whereas neither S or R isomers are effective against a generalist pest. From: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#PlantScience #SecMet
#PlantScience #SecMet
Biosynthetic mechanism and ecological function of chirality in Solanum steroidal alkaloids - Nature Communications
Authors investigate the biosynthetic mechanism of steroidal glycoalkaloid (SGA) chirality in Solanum species. GAME8 enzymes are found to catalyze the biosynthesis of R- and S-configured SGAs, which co...
www.nature.com
August 7, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Changing 4 amino acid residues switched enzymatic products btw S & R isomers of steroidal glycoalkaloids in tomato. The R isomer is better against a specialist pest, whereas neither S or R isomers are effective against a generalist pest. From: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#PlantScience #SecMet
#PlantScience #SecMet
📜 A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids
🧑🔬 Adam Jozwiak, Asaph Aharoni, et al.
📔 @science.org
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#️⃣ #PlantScience #PlantImmunity #PlantMetabolites
🧑🔬 Adam Jozwiak, Asaph Aharoni, et al.
📔 @science.org
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#️⃣ #PlantScience #PlantImmunity #PlantMetabolites
A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids
Decades of research on the infamous antinutritional steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) in Solanaceae plants have provided deep insights into their metabolism and roles. However, engineering SGAs in heter...
www.science.org
January 14, 2025 at 7:33 AM
📜 A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids
🧑🔬 Adam Jozwiak, Asaph Aharoni, et al.
📔 @science.org
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#️⃣ #PlantScience #PlantImmunity #PlantMetabolites
🧑🔬 Adam Jozwiak, Asaph Aharoni, et al.
📔 @science.org
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
#️⃣ #PlantScience #PlantImmunity #PlantMetabolites
Part of the messiness here is that apparently there has been some research on using eggplant to treat skin cancer pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25821990/
Chemistry and anticarcinogenic mechanisms of glycoalkaloids produced by eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes - PubMed
Inhibition of cancer can occur via apoptosis, a genetically directed process of cell self-destruction that involves numerous biomarkers and signaling pathways. Glycoalkaloids are nitrogen-containing s...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
March 24, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Part of the messiness here is that apparently there has been some research on using eggplant to treat skin cancer pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25821990/
Two papers find that GAME15, a cellulose synthase-like protein, is involved in alkaloid biosynthesis
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
@adamjozwiak.bsky.social
@oconnorlab.bsky.social (2/5)
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
@adamjozwiak.bsky.social
@oconnorlab.bsky.social (2/5)
A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids
Decades of research on the infamous antinutritional steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) in Solanaceae plants have provided deep insights into their metabolism and roles. However, engineering SGAs in heter...
doi.org
December 23, 2024 at 1:15 PM
Two papers find that GAME15, a cellulose synthase-like protein, is involved in alkaloid biosynthesis
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
@adamjozwiak.bsky.social
@oconnorlab.bsky.social (2/5)
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
doi.org/10.1126/scie...
@adamjozwiak.bsky.social
@oconnorlab.bsky.social (2/5)
Sprouting? Watch out, you wouldn't want any delicious glycoalkaloids.
November 25, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Sprouting? Watch out, you wouldn't want any delicious glycoalkaloids.
A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... @science.org
A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids
Decades of research on the infamous antinutritional steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) in Solanaceae plants have provided deep insights into their metabolism and roles. However, engineering SGAs in heter...
www.science.org
December 20, 2024 at 2:51 AM
A cellulose synthase–like protein governs the biosynthesis of Solanum alkaloids | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... @science.org
Below toxic levels of glycoalkaloids at least?
July 4, 2023 at 10:54 PM
Below toxic levels of glycoalkaloids at least?
"Here we identify a cellulose synthase like protein, an unexpected biosynthetic component that interacts with the early pathway enzymes, enabling steroidal scaffolds production in plants."
From: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
From: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A scaffold protein manages the biosynthesis of steroidal defense metabolites in plants
Solanaceae plants produce two major classes of valuable sterol derived natural products—steroidal glycoalkaloids and steroidal saponins—from a common cholesterol precursor. Attempts to heterologously ...
www.science.org
October 20, 2024 at 5:53 PM
"Here we identify a cellulose synthase like protein, an unexpected biosynthetic component that interacts with the early pathway enzymes, enabling steroidal scaffolds production in plants."
From: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
From: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Rumored to have killed the Roman emperor Augustus, nightshade's berries are notoriously deadly. Tomatoes belong to the same plant family, Solanaceae, and produce toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids too.
Yet, generally, tomatoes don't kill us.
Yet, generally, tomatoes don't kill us.
Tomatoes Don't Kill Humans, And We Just Figured Out Why
Rumored to have killed the Roman emperor Augustus, nightshade's berries are notoriously deadly.
www.sciencealert.com
February 21, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Rumored to have killed the Roman emperor Augustus, nightshade's berries are notoriously deadly. Tomatoes belong to the same plant family, Solanaceae, and produce toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids too.
Yet, generally, tomatoes don't kill us.
Yet, generally, tomatoes don't kill us.
#Plantbreeding can remove toxic compounds from #potatoes & #tomatoes, making them safer to eat & easier to store. The breakthrough could cut #foodwaste and enhance crop #farming in space & other extreme environments: news.ucr.edu/articles/202... #glycoalkaloids #foodsafety #shelflife #spacefarming
Growing safer spuds: removing toxins from potatoes
Scientists have discovered a way to remove toxic compounds from potatoes and tomatoes, making them safer to eat and easier to store. The breakthrough could cut food waste and enhance crop farming in e...
news.ucr.edu
December 23, 2024 at 9:14 AM
#Plantbreeding can remove toxic compounds from #potatoes & #tomatoes, making them safer to eat & easier to store. The breakthrough could cut #foodwaste and enhance crop #farming in space & other extreme environments: news.ucr.edu/articles/202... #glycoalkaloids #foodsafety #shelflife #spacefarming