ACS Chem Biol September 2017 PMID 28708375

Enzyme That Makes You Cry-Crystal Structure of Lachrymatory Factor Synthase from Allium cepa.

Josie A Silvaroli, Matthew J Pleshinger, Surajit Banerjee, Philip D Kiser, Marcin Golczak

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Mentions

57
Peak: 4 in Jan 2024
across 6 sources since Jul 2019

Extended reach

73,851
potential audience

Total likes

1,830

Video views

44,700

Mentions per month

Jul 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News30 articles
  • X / Twitter10 posts
  • YouTube9 videos
  • Reddit3 posts
  • Blogs3 articles
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group mostly agrees that onion tears are a defense mechanism, referencing it directly with comments like 'a defense mechanism' and 'release a certain compound called Lachrymatory Factor.' The tone is educational and curious, often explaining biological processes or referencing additional scientific details, which shows moderate engagement without implying a major breakthrough that would drastically impact society or research.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posts support the idea that onions produce a defense chemical causing tears, indicating general agreement with the concepts presented.

InterestModerate interest

The discussions show curiosity about why onions make us cry, suggesting moderate interest in the biological mechanisms.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants engage by explaining the defense mechanism and referencing related compounds, indicating active but not deeply technical discussions.

ImpactNeutral impact

The posts reflect a recognition of the biological significance but do not suggest significant societal or scientific impact from the study, leading to a neutral impact score.

Abstract in brief

  • The study explores the enzyme Lachrymatory Factor Synthase (LFS) in onions, which produces a compound that causes eye irritation when chopping, as part of the plant's defense mechanism against microbes and animals.
  • Researchers determined the crystal structures of LFS in both its inactive form and when bound to a substrate analogue, revealing that LFS has a helix-grip fold similar to other plant proteins in the START superfamily.
  • By comparing these structures and analyzing the active site, the study proposes a catalytic mechanism involving sequential proton transfers and a carbanion intermediate, helping to clarify how onions produce the tear-inducing compound.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Ianina
@IanVioli · X

@AyrtonLucio @dadatina sería buena si fuera cierta. No es tan sencillo, por múltiples razones, una de ellas es que el SO2 en agua no se transforma en sulfúrico. Dejo un paper con info un poco más seria

Apr 25, 2021 · 330 likes · 3 shares · 544 followers View post →
bioZone
@thebiozone · X

Why onions make us cry

Jan 7, 2024 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 186 followers View post →
Orbitkat
@orbitkat · X

@jackthevulture This is a normal reaction for most mammals when eating a raw onion. Onions have a defense mechanism in which they release sulfenic acid when cut or bit in order to prevent being eaten. It's the same reason why you cry when you cut an onion. https://t.co/XZVXCe1JVh

Nov 27, 2022 · 2 likes · 282 followers View post →
tilbot
@tilbots · X

The reason Onions make you cry is because of a defense mechanism they have evolved against predatory animals which would otherwise eat them https://t.co/Vhlrd0ktFj

Apr 4, 2023 · 1 like · 4,823 followers View post →
Nicole Göbel
@NicoleGbel3 · X

@tguldener @IchBin_RO @SutherlandPhD https://t.co/1lCHredPZc

Dec 24, 2021 · 1 like · 1,382 followers View post →
Brandon - BLM | {1312} ⚕️
@CoreAndRind · X

@NyxWorldOrder So, when onions are cut they release a certain compound called Lachrymatory Factor. If you can smell the onion, odds are good there's enough to make your eyes wick too. https://t.co/Ty54ZZ41AS

Jan 24, 2020 · 1 like · 1,156 followers View post →

All mentions

CPCB
@CMUPittCompBio · X

RT @thebiozone: Why onions make us cry

Jan 7, 2024 · 2 shares · 772 followers View post →
April
@sciApril · X

RT @thebiozone: Why onions make us cry

Jan 7, 2024 · 2 shares · 618 followers View post →
bioZone
@thebiozone · X

Why onions make us cry

Jan 7, 2024 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 186 followers View post →
tilbot
@tilbots · X

The reason Onions make you cry is because of a defense mechanism they have evolved against predatory animals which would otherwise eat them https://t.co/Vhlrd0ktFj

Apr 4, 2023 · 1 like · 4,823 followers View post →
Orbitkat
@orbitkat · X

@jackthevulture This is a normal reaction for most mammals when eating a raw onion. Onions have a defense mechanism in which they release sulfenic acid when cut or bit in order to prevent being eaten. It's the same reason why you cry when you cut an onion. https://t.co/XZVXCe1JVh

Nov 27, 2022 · 2 likes · 282 followers View post →
Ryan
@ItsClearlyRyan · X

TIL: The reason Onions make you cry is because of a defense mechanism they have evolved against predatory animals which would otherwise eat them #til #todayilearned https://t.co/wjxowJ5mtZ

Mar 2, 2022 · 18,006 followers View post →
Nicole Göbel
@NicoleGbel3 · X

@tguldener @IchBin_RO @SutherlandPhD https://t.co/1lCHredPZc

Dec 24, 2021 · 1 like · 1,382 followers View post →
Vincent Beast
@_VincentBeast · X

RT @IanVioli: @AyrtonLucio @dadatina sería buena si fuera cierta. No es tan sencillo, por múltiples razones, una de ellas es que el SO2 en…

Apr 26, 2021 · 3 shares · 1,361 followers View post →
Ianina
@IanVioli · X

@AyrtonLucio @dadatina sería buena si fuera cierta. No es tan sencillo, por múltiples razones, una de ellas es que el SO2 en agua no se transforma en sulfúrico. Dejo un paper con info un poco más seria

Apr 25, 2021 · 330 likes · 3 shares · 544 followers View post →
Brandon - BLM | {1312} ⚕️
@CoreAndRind · X

@NyxWorldOrder So, when onions are cut they release a certain compound called Lachrymatory Factor. If you can smell the onion, odds are good there's enough to make your eyes wick too. https://t.co/Ty54ZZ41AS

Jan 24, 2020 · 1 like · 1,156 followers View post →