Effect of ethylene and metabolic inhibitors on anthocyanin biosynthesis

The use of metabolic inhibitors indicated that ethylene-enhancement of light-induced anthocyanin biosynthesis in Sorghum vulgare is through promotion of enzyme synthesis. Ethylene treatment had no effect on the amount of cyanidin synthesized in sorghum tissue infiltrated with actinomycin D to inhibit RNA synthesis. Treatment of sorghum tissue with ethylene in the dark for 24 hr prior to light-induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis reduced the ability of cycloheximide to inhibit anthocyanin formation in the tissue. Ethylene treatment promoted the biosynthesis of two 3-deoxyanthocyanidins in sorghum for which light-induced RNA synthesis is not necessary.