Expression analyssis of anthocyanin regulatory genes in response to different light qualities in Arabidopsis thaliana

Cominelli, E., Gusmaroli, G., Allegra, D., Galbiati, M., Wade, H.K., Jenkins, G.I. and Tonelli, C. (2008) Expression analyssis of anthocyanin regulatory genes in response to different light qualities in Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Plant Physiology, 165(8), pp. 886-894. (doi: 10.1016/j.jplph.2007.06.010)

Abstract

In this work we analysed, at the transcript level, the response of <i>Arabidopsis</i> anthocyanin regulatory genes of the <i>MYB</i> (<i>PAP1</i> and <i>PAP2</i>), <i>bHLH</i> (<i>TT8</i>, <i>EGL3</i> and <i>GL3</i>) and <i>WD40</i> (<i>TTG1</i>) families to white tight in seedlings and to different light qualities in rosette leaves. Our experiments showed strong tight induction of the MYB genes <i>PAPI</i> and <i>PAP2</i>. In particular, the kinetics of <i>PAP1</i> expression preceded those of <i>PAP2</i> and all. of the structural genes (<i>CHS</i>, <i>DFR</i>, <i>F3H</i>, <i>LDOX</i>), consistent with the hypothesis that it has a key role in Light induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis. All <i>bHLH</i> genes analysed showed tight induction, and in seedlings their expression preceded that of the late structural genes, suggesting their possible rote in light regulation of these structural genes. <i>TFG1</i> expression is essentially constitutive in both systems. Experiments with transgenic tines over-expressing the <i>MYB</i> factors show that <i>PAP1</i>, but not <i>PAP2</i>, strongly stimulates expression of the anthocyanin structural gene encoding dihydroflavonol reductase, but neither factor affected expression of the early flavonoid biosynthesis gene encoding chalcone synthase. Consistent with these findings, <i>PAP1</i>, but not <i>PAP2</i>, stimulated tight induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in seedlings. We conclude that specific members of the <i>MYB</i> and <i>bHLH</i> families play important rotes in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in response to different light qualities in <i>Arabidopsis</i>.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jenkins, Professor Gareth
• Authors: Cominelli, E., Gusmaroli, G., Allegra, D., Galbiati, M., Wade, H.K., Jenkins, G.I., and Tonelli, C.
• Subjects: Q Science > QK Botany; Q Science > QH Natural history > QH345 Biochemistry
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Plant Physiology
• ISSN: 0176-1617