Functional analyses of a flavonol synthase - like gene from Camellia nitidissima reveal its roles in flavonoid metabolism during floral pigmentation

Journal of biosciences

Ji-Yuan Li1¹  Zheng-Qi Fan¹  Heng-Fu Yin1¹  Xing-Wen Zhou¹  Yue Chen¹  Yu-Lin Zhu² 

[1] Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Fuyang 311400, Zhejiang, China$$;Yulin Normal University, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yulin 537000, Guangxi, China$$

关键词: Anthocyanin;    Camellia;    flavonoid;    flavonol synthase;    flavonol;    pigmentation;   

DOI  :  

来源: Indian Academy of Sciences

【 摘 要 】

The flavonoids metabolic pathway plays central roles in floral coloration, in which anthocyanins and flavonols are derived from common precursors, dihydroflavonols. Flavonol synthase (FLS) catalyses dihydroflavonols into flavonols, which presents a key branch of anthocyanins biosynthesis. The yellow flower of Camellia nitidissima Chi. is a unique feature within the genus Camellia, which makes it a precious resource for breeding yellow camellia varieties. In this work, we characterized the secondary metabolites of pigments during floral development of C. nitidissima and revealed that accumulation of flavonols correlates with floral coloration. We first isolated CnFLS1 and showed that it is a FLS of C. nitidissima by gene family analysis. Second, expression analysis during floral development and different floral organs indicated that the expression level of CnFLS1 was regulated by developmental cues, which was in agreement with the accumulating pattern of flavonols. Furthermore, over-expression of CnFLS1 in Nicotiana tabacum altered floral colour into white or light yellow, and metabolic analysis showed significant increasing of flavonols and reducing of anthocyanins in transgenic plants. Our work suggested CnFLS1 plays critical roles in yellow colour pigmentation and is potentially a key point of genetic engineering toward colour modification in Camellia.

【 授权许可】

Unknown