Differential gene expression analysis of ‘Granny Smith’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) during fruit skin coloration

‘Granny Smith’ apples growing under normal sunlight develop green skin, whereas the peel turns red due to anthocyanin accumulation after the removal of a bagging treatment. Two anthocyanins, Cyanidin 3-O-galactoside (cy3-gal) and Cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside (cy3-ara), were detected in the red ‘Granny Smith’ apple peels, and cy3-gal was determined to be chiefly responsible for the red color. The content of cy3-gal was more than 98% of the total anthocyanin in the red ‘Granny Smith’ peels. To better understand the molecular basis of anthocyanin biosynthesis in ‘Granny Smith’ apples, we performed a quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes (MdCHS, MdF3H, MdDFR, MdANS, MdUFGT, and MdMYB1). Our results indicate that the expression of these genes (except MdCHS) was associated with increased anthocyanin accumulation in the skin of ‘Granny Smith’ apples. Four selected genes obtained from the ‘Granny Smith’ skin cDNA library, phytoene synthase (PSY), WD40 repeat protein, polygalacturonase (PG), and galactosidase (GAL), were also confirmed by qRT-PCR. We found that these genes were differently expressed during ‘Granny Smith’ apple skin coloration, suggesting that they are directly or indirectly involved in pigment accumulation. In conclusion, anthocyanin biosynthesis in ‘Granny Smith’ apples is the result of interactions between multiple enzymes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, and the coloring mechanism of ‘Granny Smith’ apples may be similar to that of red-skinned cultivars.     

Expression and functional analysis of a novel MYB gene, MdMYB110a_JP, responsible for red flesh, not skin color in apple fruit

We have succeeded in isolating an MdMYB110a_JP gene responsible for a red-fleshed trait from a fruit of apple cultivar ‘JPP35’ (‘Jonathan’ × ‘Pink Pearl’). The isolated MdMYB110a_JP gene was located on chromosome (ch.) 17, which was different from the location of known MdMYB1/10 gene of ch.9, and ‘JPP35’ and ‘Pink Pearl’ did not contain the known R ₆ :MdMYB10 allele responsible for the red-skin and red-fleshed trait. The MdMYB110a_JP was expressed strongly and weakly in the cortex and core of ‘JPP35’ fruit, respectively, at the time of coloring start in flesh, and also weakly in flower buds. Following the MdMYB110a_JP expression, the expression of the genes, MdCHS and MdLDOX, that encode the enzymes of the flavonoid pathway, was induced in flesh of ‘JPP35’ in accordance with anthocyanin accumulation. In contrast, the MdMYB110a_JP gene was not expressed in any tissues in red-skin and white-fleshed ‘Fuji’, and in red-skin and red-fleshed ‘Maypole’. Instead, MdMYB1-1 allele responsible for red-skin trait was expressed in red-skin of ‘Fuji’ and ‘JPP35’, and R ₆ :MdMYB10 allele responsible for red-skin and red-flesh trait was expressed in red-core and red-cortex in ‘Maypole’ as expected. Moreover, 35S:MdMYB110a_JP transgenic apple ‘JM2’ showed a red-foliage phenotype depending on the MdMYB110a_JP expression level. From the results, it was strongly suggested that the red-fleshed phenotype of ‘JPP35’ fruit was caused by up-regulation of the genes of anthocyanin pathway induced by the MdMYB110a_JP gene.     

Differential expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in relation to anthocyanin accumulation in the pericarp of Litchi chinensis Sonn

Litchi has diverse fruit color phenotypes, yet no research reflects the biochemical background of this diversity. In this study, we evaluated 12 litchi cultivars for chromatic parameters and pigments, and investigated the effects of abscisic acid, forchlorofenron (CPPU), bagging and debagging treatments on fruit coloration in cv. Feizixiao, an unevenly red cultivar. Six genes encoding chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) and UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) were isolated from the pericarp of the fully red litchi cv. Nuomici, and their expression was analyzed in different cultivars and under the above mentioned treatments. Pericarp anthocyanin concentration varied from none to 734 mg m⁻² among the 12 litchi cultivars, which were divided into three coloration types, i.e. non-red (‘Kuixingqingpitian’, ‘Xingqiumili’, ‘Yamulong’and ‘Yongxing No. 2′), unevenly red (‘Feizixiao’ and ‘Sanyuehong’) and fully red (‘Meiguili’, ‘Baila’, Baitangying’ ’Guiwei’, ‘Nuomici’ and ‘Guinuo’). The fully red type cultivars had different levels of anthocyanin but with the same composition. The expression of the six genes, especially LcF3H, LcDFR, LcANS and LcUFGT, in the pericarp of non-red cultivars was much weaker as compared to those red cultivars. Their expression, LcDFR and LcUFGT in particular, was positively correlated with anthocyanin concentrations in the pericarp. These results suggest the late genes in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway were coordinately expressed during red coloration of litchi fruits. Low expression of these genes resulted in absence or extremely low anthocyanin accumulation in non-red cultivars. Zero-red pericarp from either immature or CPPU treated fruits appeared to be lacking in anthocyanins due to the absence of UFGT expression. Among these six genes, only the expression of UFGT was found significantly correlated with the pericarp anthocyanin concentration (r = 0.84). These results suggest that UFGT played a predominant role in the anthocyanin accumulation in litchi as well as pericarp coloration of a given cultivar.     

石榴果色合成相关基因CHS和CHI的表达特性分析

花色苷是类黄酮家族中重要的一类次生代谢产物,对果实呈色起重要作用。CHS (查尔酮合成酶)和CHI (查尔酮异构酶)为花色苷合成提供了前体物质,是花色苷合成所不可或缺的。利用RT-PCR和RACE方法,本研究从石榴果皮中克隆了与花色苷合成相关的CHS基因和CHI基因的cDNA全长,同时采用qRT-PCR研究了这两个基因在三个不同色泽石榴品种‘红宝石’、‘水晶甜’、‘墨石榴’发育期内的表达模式,并分析了果皮花色苷含量变化与基因转录水平的关系。结果表明,石榴中CHS和CHI基因cDNA全长分别为1 197 bp和693 bp,分别编码398和230个氨基酸,命名为PgCHS和PgCHI,在GenBank中的登录号分别为KF841615和KF841616。在氨基酸水平上,Pg CHS与荔枝、葡萄、山竹等果树的同源性达到90%以上。Pg CHI与果树中龙眼、梨、美洲葡萄、桑树等同源性达到70%以上。qRT-PCR结果显示,CHS和CHI基因的表达模式随色泽发育期和品种不同而有差异。在‘红宝石’石榴中,该两个基因都有前期和后期两个表达高峰期;而‘水晶甜’石榴中这两个基因的表达高峰期均出现在中后期;‘墨石榴’发育初期时CHS和CHI的表达量最高,以后的表达量都较低。同一品种内,CHS和CHI的表达具有协同性,两者的协同性表达有利于花色苷及其他类黄酮相关产物的合成。3个品种中CHS和CHI基因的表达与花色苷的积累并不一致。     

The expression level of anthocyanidin synthase determines the anthocyanin content of crabapple (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Malus</Emphasis> sp.) petals

In addition to contributing to the coloration of plant organs and their defense against herbivores, the consumption of anthocyanins in the human diet has a number of health benefits. Crabapple (Malus sp.) represents a valuable experimental model system to research the mechanisms and regulation of anthocyanin accumulation, in part due to the often vivid and varied petal and leaf coloration that is exhibited by various cultivars. The enzyme anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) plays a pivotal role in anthocyanin biosynthesis; however, the relationship between ANS expression and petal pigmentation has yet to be established in crabapple. To illuminate the mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in crabapple petals, we evaluated the expression of two crabapple ANS allelic genes (McANS-1 and McANS-2) and the levels of anthocyanins in petals from cultivars with dark red (‘Royalty’) and white (‘Flame’) petals, as well as another (‘Radiant’) whose petals have an intermediate pink color. We determined that the expression of McANS in the three cultivars correlated with the variation of anthocyanin accumulation during different petal developmental stages. Furthermore, transgenic tobacco plants constitutively overexpressing one of the two McANS genes, McANS-1, had showed elevated anthocyanin accumulation and a deeper red coloration in their petals than those from untransformed control lines. In conclusion, we propose that McANS are responsible for anthocyanin accumulation during petal coloration in different crabapple cultivars.     

5-Aminolevulinic acid promotes anthocyanin accumulation in Fuji apples

5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is an essential precursor of all tetrapyrrole compounds such as chlorophylls and heme in plants. It has also been suggested widely for applications to crops to enhance growth and production as a plant growth regulator. However, how successful ALA can be used in fruit production was rarely reported. We conducted a field experiment at eight locations in four provinces across eastern China; and the results showed that application of ALA solutions to ‘Fuji’ apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) fruits 20 days prior to harvest significantly increased the anthocyanin content in the fruit skin. Also, ALA treatment increased the anthocyanin content of the detached apple skin in a growth chamber. Results from the semi-quantitive RT-PCR analysis showed that ALA induced gene expressions related to anthocyanin biosynthesis, including the structural genes Pal, Chs and Ufgt, and regulatory genes Myb, bHLH and Wd40. When levulinic acid (LA), an inhibitor of ALA dehydrase, was added, ALA promotion of anthocyanin accumulation and up-regulation of gene expressions were inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that ALA promotion of anthocyanin accumulation in apples was facilitated by the up-regulation of gene expression, which might be related to the conversion of ALA to porphyrins.     

Blühfördernde Wirkung von 2-Chloräthylphosphonsäure bei Apfelbäumen

Experiments with the growth regulator ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) were made to stimulate the flower differentiation in the ‘Carola’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ apple cultivars in Pillnitz (GDR) and ‘Jonathan’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ in Ujfehértó (Hungaria). A twofold application of 150 ppm ethephon in June proved most effective. Our results indicate that it is possible to promote flower differentiation in apple trees without growth retardation and fruit thinning.     

Synergistic roles of leaf boron and calcium during the growing season in affecting sugar and starch accumulation in ripening apple fruit

Fruit sugar content is one of the most important flavor quality traits in the fresh market. Minerals, such as boron (B) and calcium (Ca), are associated with fruit sugar and starch accumulation in many plant species. To better understand the roles of B and Ca in affecting sugar and starch accumulation in apples, 2 g L^?1 Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O or 10 g L^?1 CaCl₂ was supplied by foliar spray to 20-year-old ‘Fuji’ (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Fuji) trees at four developmental stages (fruit set, onset of rapid fruit growth, rapid fruit growth and the end of rapid fruit growth), in 2010–2011. The most effective treatment significantly increasing soluble sugar and starch levels in ripening fruit was the foliar application of 2 g L^?1 Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O during rapid fruit growth, and the robustness of the effects was confirmed for two cultivars, ‘Fuji’ and ‘Orin’, at three orchards in 2011. Foliar applications of B during the onset of rapid fruit growth and rapid fruit growth, as well as the foliar application of Ca at fruit set, significantly increased the soluble sugar content in ripening fruit. In addition, the B application was effective in increasing the fruit starch content, but Ca was not. Both B and Ca treatments significantly increased the leaf concentrations of the other element at least transiently. However, B and Ca effects on fruit sugar/starch did not seem to depend on higher leaf B or Ca levels. In conclusion, B and Ca interact in enhancing fruit sugar and starch contents at the fruit ripening stage.