Cloning and expression of a putative cytochrome P450 gene that influences the colour of Phalaenopsis flowers

Anthocyanins are responsible for reds through blues in flowers. Blue and violet flowers generally contain derivatives of delphinidin, whereas red and pink flowers contain derivatives of cyanidin or pelargonidin. Differences in hydroxylation patterns of these three major classes of anthocyanidins are controlled by the cytochrome P450 enzymes. Flavonoid-3',5'-hydroxylase, a member of the cytochrome P450 family, is the key enzyme in the synthesis of 3',5'-hydroxylated anthocyanins, generally required for blue or purple flowers. Here we report on the isolation of a cDNA clone of a putative flavonoid-3',5'-hydroxylase gene from Phalaenopsis that was then cloned into a plant expression vector. Transient transformation was achieved by particle bombardment of Phalaenopsis petals. The transgenic petals changed from pink to magenta, indicating that the product of the putative flavonoid-3',5'-hydroxylase gene influences anthocyanin pigment synthesis.