Profile
Dr. Naveen C. Bisht research provides novel insights toward understanding the molecular-genetic and biochemical regulation of the complex glucosinolate trait, which has led to the development of new strategies to improve the nutritional quality and fitness of Indian oilseed mustard. His group, for the first time, elucidated the structure-function relationship of a multigenic family of enzymes, METHYLTHIOALKYLMALATE SYNTHASES, that contribute to glucosinolate diversity in the Brassicaceae family. Dr. Bisht’s group developed low glucosinolate transgenic mustard lines (<30 micromoles/gram) through RNAi-mediated silencing of a key transcriptional regulator, MYB28. In addition, his group also demonstrated the bio-fortification of Indian mustard with a high amount of anti-cancer compound, glucoraphanin (ca. 40 micromoles/gram) in seeds, sprouts, and leaves through constitutive silencing of ALKENYL HYDROXALKYL PRODUCING2 genes. Very recently, the group demonstrated that glucosinolate transporters (GTR1 and GTR2) genes differentially regulate tissue-specific glucosinolate contents and defense responses in Indian oilseed mustard. Using CRISPR/Cas9 editing of GTR family genes, ideal low-seed, high-leaf glucosinolate oilseed mustard lines have been developed, which have huge translation potential for developing Canola-quality mustard lines.
Current Focus Areas
Dr. Naveen C. Bisht research provides novel insights toward understanding the molecular-genetic and biochemical regulation of the complex glucosinolate trait, which has led to the development of new strategies to improve the nutritional quality and fitness of Indian oilseed mustard.
Selected Publications
Tiwari R, Garg K, Senthil-Kumar M, Bisht NC* (2024) XLG2 and CORI3 function additively to regulate plant defense against the necrotrophic pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The Plant Journal 117: 616-631
Avni M, Juhi K, Roshan K, Pawan K, Pradhan AK, Pental D, Bisht, NC* (2023) Targeted editing of multiple homologs of GTR1 and GTR2 genes provides the ideal low-seed, high-leaf glucosinolate oilseed mustard with uncompromised defense and yield. Plant Biotechnology Journal 21: 2182-2195
Nambiar DM, Kumari J, Augustine R, Kumar P, Bajpai PK, Bisht NC* (2021) GTR1 and GTR2 transporters differentially regulate tissue-specific glucosinolate contents and defence responses in the oilseed crop Brassica juncea. Plant Cell & Environment 44, 2729-2743
Kumar R, Lee SL, Augustine R, Reichelt M, Vassão DG, Palavalli MH, Allen A, Gershenzon J, Jez JM*, Bisht NC* (2019) Molecular basis of the evolution of methylthioalkylmalate synthase and diversity of methionine-derived glucosinolates. The Plant Cell 31: 1633-47
Augustine R, Mukhopadhyay A, Bisht NC* (2013) Targeted silencing of BjMYB28 transcription factor gene directs development of low glucosinolate lines in oilseed Brassica juncea. Plant Biotechnology Journal 11: 855-66