Intron loss in the chalcone-flavanone isomerase gene of rye

The Chi gene encodes the flavonoid synthesis enzyme chalcone-flavanone isomerase. The complete coding sequence of the Chi gene was isolated by PCR from four cultivars of cereal rye (Secale cereale L.). Unlike most monocot and dicot plant species, S. cereale has one, rather than three introns in the Chi gene. Screening of a panel of 63 Triticeae accessions, representing 31 species, showed two intron loss events in the Triticeae tribe. One intron loss occurred early in the evolution of the Triticeae tribe, while another intron loss was only detected in S. cereale Chi. A new rye-specific PCR marker was developed based on Chi intron loss polymorphism and was shown to be effective for analysis of a wide range of intergenera Triticeae hybrids for the presence of rye genome. In addition, precise genetic mapping of the rye Chi gene was carried out based on insertion/deletion polymorphism between parents of a rye mapping population. The Chi gene was mapped on the long arm of chromosome 5R 9.3 cM distal to the restriction fragment length polymorphism marker Xscb35 and 4.4 cM proximal to the locus 3Rt encoding another flavonoid synthesis enzyme, anthocyanidin-3-glucoside rhamnosyltransferase.     

Cloning and molecular analysis of structural genes involved in flavonoid and stilbene biosynthesis in grape (Vitis vinifera L.)

Genes involved in flavonoid and stilbene biosynthesis were isolated from grape (Vitis vinifera L.). Clones coding for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavanone 3-hydoxylase (F3H), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LDOX) and UDP glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyl transferase (UFGT), were isolated by screening a cDNA library, obtained from mRNA from seedlings grown in light for 48 h using snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) and maize heterologous probes. A cDNA clone coding for stilbene synthase (StSy) was isolated by probing the library with a specific oligonucleotide. These clones were sequenced and when the putative products were compared to the published amino acid sequence for corresponding enzymes, the percentages of similarity ranged from 65% (UFGT) to 90% (CHS and PAL). The analysis of the genomic organization and expression of these genes in response to light shows that PAL and StSy genes belong to large multigene families, while the others are present in one to four copies per haploid genome. The steady-state level of mRNAs encoded by the flavonoid biosynthetic genes as determined in young seedlings is coordinately induced by light, except for PAL and StSy, which appear to be constitutively expressed.     

Functional analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Antirrhinum kelloggii</Emphasis> flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase and flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase genes; critical role in flower color and evolution in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Antirrhinum</Emphasis>

The enzymes flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase (F3′H) and flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase (F3′5′H) play an important role in flower color by determining the B-ring hydroxylation pattern of anthocyanins, the major floral pigments. F3′5′H is necessary for biosynthesis of the delphinidin-based anthocyanins that confer a violet or blue color to most plants. Antirrhinum majus does not produce delphinidin and lacks violet flower colour while A. kelloggii produces violet flowers containing delphinidin. To understand the cause of this inter-specific difference in the Antirrhinum genus, we isolated one F3′H and two F3′5′H homologues from the A. kelloggii petal cDNA library. Their amino acid sequences showed high identities to F3′Hs and F3′5′Hs of closely related species. Transgenic petunia expressing these genes had elevated amounts of cyanidin and delphinidin respectively, and flower color changes in the transgenics reflected the type of accumulated anthocyanidins. The results indicate that the homologs encode F3′H and F3′5′H, respectively, and that the ancestor of A. majus lost F3′5′H activity after its speciation from the ancestor of A. kelloggii.     

A chalcone isomerase‐like protein enhances flavonoid production and flower pigmentation

Flavonoids are major pigments in plants, and their biosynthetic pathway is one of the best‐studied metabolic pathways. Here we have identified three mutations within a gene that result in pale‐colored flowers in the Japanese morning glory (Ipomoea nil). As the mutations lead to a reduction of the colorless flavonoid compound flavonol as well as of anthocyanins in the flower petal, the identified gene was designated enhancer of flavonoid production (EFP). EFP encodes a chalcone isomerase (CHI)‐related protein classified as a type IV CHI protein. CHI is the second committed enzyme of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, but type IV CHI proteins are thought to lack CHI enzymatic activity, and their functions remain unknown. The spatio‐temporal expression of EFP and structural genes encoding enzymes that produce flavonoids is very similar. Expression of both EFP and the structural genes is coordinately promoted by genes encoding R2R3‐MYB and WD40 family proteins. The EFP gene is widely distributed in land plants, and RNAi knockdown mutants of the EFP homologs in petunia (Petunia hybrida) and torenia (Torenia hybrida) had pale‐colored flowers and low amounts of anthocyanins. The flavonol and flavone contents in the knockdown petunia and torenia flowers, respectively, were also significantly decreased, suggesting that the EFP protein contributes in early step(s) of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway to ensure production of flavonoid compounds. From these results, we conclude that EFP is an enhancer of flavonoid production and flower pigmentation, and its function is conserved among diverse land plant species.     

Cloning and expression of flavonol synthase from Petunia hybrida

Flavonols are important co-pigments in flower colour and are also essential for pollen tube growth. In petunia, flavonol synthesis is controlled by the Fl locus. Flavonol synthase (FLS) belongs to the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase family. Dioxygenase gene fragments were amplified by PCR on cDNA made from FlFl and flfl flowers using degenerate primers designed from conserved dioxygenase sequences. A petunia petal cDNA library was screened for clones that hybridized more strongly to the Fl PCR products than the fl PCR products. A full-length cDNA clone identified by this screening exhibited FLS activity when expressed in yeast. FLS gene expression is developmentally regulated during flower development. Antisense expression of an FLS cDNA clone in petunia markedly reduced flavonol synthesis in petals. RFLP mapping showed that the FLS gene is linked to Fl , suggesting that Fl is the structural gene for FLS.     

葡萄风信子MaGT1基因的克隆及其表达分析

该研究以葡萄风信子(Muscari ameniacum)‘亚美尼亚’为试材,克隆了花青素合成途径过程中的类黄酮糖基转移酶基因MaGT1(GenBank登录号MK652470)。该基因开放阅读框全长1 338 bp,编码445个氨基酸,预测蛋白分子量为49.301 kD,理论等电点为5.40。结构分析显示,MaGT1蛋白具有PSPG保守结构域、UDP 糖基转移酶家族结构域和UDP 葡萄糖醛酸基/葡萄糖基转移酶保守域(UDPGT)。进化分析表明,MaGT1蛋白与油棕、海枣、葡萄亲缘关系相近,聚类于类黄酮糖苷糖基转移酶类分支,以UDP 葡萄糖/鼠李糖为主要糖供体。花青苷含量测定显示,花青苷仅在葡萄风信子着色的花中积累,在根、鳞茎和叶以及未着色的花蕾(S1)中几乎检测不到花青苷,且随着花的发育,花青苷含量不断增加,并在衰败期(S5)达到最高。荧光定量PCR分析表明,MaGT1基因的表达具有显著的时空特异性,并在花中优势表达,而在根、鳞茎和叶片中微量表达;在花发育不同阶段,MaGT1基因的表达量随着花发育不断增加,并在盛花期达到峰值。研究表明,MaGT1蛋白催化反应是花青素合成途径中的重要修饰步骤。该研究结果为进一步分析MaGT1基因在葡萄风信子花青素合成和调控中的功能提供了依据。     

FLAVONOIDS AND TAXONOMY OF THE LIMNANTHACEAE

To help clarify relationships within the Limnanthaceae, all 19 taxa were compared on the basis of flavonoids occurring in all tissues, and 14 of these taxa were additionally compared on the basis of flavonoids occurring only in the petals. Of the 46 flavonol glycosides encountered, 35 were identified as derivatives of six flavonol aglycone types: syringetin, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, laricytrin (myricetin 3'-methyl ether), quercetin and myricetin, all glycosylated with combinations of glucose and rhamnose. Varimax Factor Analysis with rotation of the flavonoid data indicated that the family probably contains 3 phyletic lines, an observation inconsistent with the conventional 2-generic interpretation of the family. Mason's sectional treatment of Limnanthes is supported by petal flavonoid results, but not by whole-plant flavonoid results, indicating that petal flavonoids more clearly reflect natural relationships in Limnanthes. Evolution of whole-plant flavonoids of Limnanthes appears to be partly linked to changes in breeding system.     

Co-expression of<Emphasis Type="Italic">flavonoid 3′ 5′-hydroxylase</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase</Emphasis> Accelerates Decolorization in Transgenic Chrysanthemum Petals

Theflavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase (F3′,5′H) gene, derived from petunia, was introduced into chrysanthemum tissues by Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation. Cotyledon expiants were co-cultured withA. tumefaciens LBA 4404 harboring the vector pMBP that carriesF3′,5′H under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter andnptll as a selectable marker gene. After 72 h of co-cultivation, the expiants were placed on an MS medium supplemented with 4 mg L^-1 BA, 0.1 mg L^-1 NAA, 400 mg L^-1 carbenicillin, and 100 mg L^-1; kanamycin. After 4 weeks, kanamycin-resistant adventitious shoots had developed at a frequency of 6.3%. These shoots were then rooted and acclimatized in potting soil. Integration ofF3′,5′H into the plant genome was confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Flower buds that had red petals did not differ between the transgenic and the wild-type plants. However, petal color did change from red to bright orange to yellow when the buds developed into fully opened flowers on the transgenics. Spectrometric analysis revealed that the content of flavonoid compounds was more rapidly reduced in the transgenic petals as floral development proceeded. RT-PCR analysis showed thatF3′,5′H andflavonoid 3′hydroxylase (F3′H) were expressed simultaneously in the transgenic plants. Therefore, we suggest that this more rapid change in petal color results from 1) competition between levels of transgenicF3′,5′H and endogenousF3′H, each of which uses the same substrate in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway and 2) the intrinsic substrate specificity of chrysanthemumDFR (dihydroflavonol 4-reductase).     

Identification and characterisation of CYP75A31, a new flavonoid 3'5'-hydroxylase,isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis>

Background  

Understanding the regulation of the flavonoid pathway is important for maximising the nutritional value of crop plants and possibly enhancing their resistance towards pathogens. The flavonoid 3'5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H) enzyme functions at an important branch point between flavonol and anthocyanin synthesis, as is evident from studies in petunia (Petunia hybrida), and potato (Solanum tuberosum). The present work involves the identification and characterisation of a F3'5'H gene from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and the examination of its putative role in flavonoid metabolism.     

Involvement of two differenturf-s related mitochondrial sequences in the molecular evolution of the CMS-specificS-Pcf locus in petunia

In petunia, a mitochondrial (mt) locus,S-Pcf, has been found to be strongly associated with cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). TheS-Pcf locus consists of three open reading frames (ORF) that are co-transcribed. The first ORF,Pcf, contains parts of theatp9 andcoxII genes and an unidentified reading frame,urf-s. The second and third ORFs contain NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (nad3) and ribosomal protein S12 (rps12) sequences, respectively. Thenad3 andrps12 sequences included in theS-Pcf locus are identical to the corresponding sequences on the mt genome of fertile petunia. In both CMS and fertile petunia, only a single copy ofnad3 andrps12 has been detected on the physical map of the main mt genome. The origin of theurf-s sequence and the molecular events leading to the formation of the chimericS-Pcf locus are not known. This paper presents evidence indicating that two different mt sequences, related tourf-s and found in fertile petunia lines (orf-h and Rf-1), might have been involved in the molecular evolution of theS-Pcf locus. Southern analysis of mtDNA derived from both fertile and sterile petunia plants suggests that one of theseurf-s related sequences (showing 100% homology tourf-s and termedorf-h) is located on a sublimon. An additional, low-homologyurf-s related sequence (Rf-1) is shown to be located on the main mt genome 5′ to thenad3 gene. It is, thus, suggested that the sequence of events leading to the generation of theS-Pcf locus might have involved introduction of theorf-h sequence, via homologous recombination, into the main mt genome 5′ tonad3 at the region where the Rf-1 sequence is located. Contribution [No. 1581-E (1995 series)] from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel 50 250