Research of the molecular mechanism of light-induced anthocyanin pigmentation in petal

Research Project

Project/Area Number	18K14462
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Review Section	Basic Section 39030:Horticultural science-related
Research Institution	Tokyo University of Agriculture
Principal Investigator	TASAKI Keisuke 東京農業大学, 農学部, 助教 (80733419)
Project Period (FY)	2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 2020)
Budget Amount *help	¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000) Fiscal Year 2020: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000) Fiscal Year 2019: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000) Fiscal Year 2018: ¥2,470,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥570,000)
Keywords	アントシアニン / ゲノム編集 / GST / LED / リンドウ / 花色 / 光 / 光応答 / 次世代シーケンサー
Outline of Final Research Achievements	In this study, to elucidate the molecular mechanism of light-induced anthocyanin pigmentation in petal, light-treatment experiments using white light and different wavelength ranges using LED light, were conducted using gentian, one of the major cut flowers in Japan. From the results of RNA-seq analysis using light-treated gentian petal samples, candidate genes that promote coloration in response to light were selected, and their functions were analyzed by genome editing. The results showed that one of the candidate genes, GST1, was expressed in petals in response to light and functioned in the accumulation of anthocyanins in vacuoles.
Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements	本研究で得られた成果は、これまで情報の乏しかった花弁の光応答着色の機構を理解するための知見拡充に貢献するものである。応用面においては、鮮やかな濃青色を魅力とするリンドウの品質向上を目的とした技術開発や、LEDの活用が進む露地、ハウス、温室、あるいは植物工場など様々な環境で生産される園芸作物（花卉・野菜・果樹）の品質向上に向けた光を介した技術開発の基礎情報として活用が期待される。