Identification of the factors and regulating genes for the formation of anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions that contributes to characteristic flower color

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15515
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39030:Horticultural science-related
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: Deguchi Ayumi 千葉大学, 大学院園芸学研究院, 助教 (20780563)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: アントシアニン / AVIs / ダリア / ニチニチソウ / 花色 / フラボン合成酵素遺伝子 / マロニル基転移酵素遺伝子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The soluble red pigment anthocyanins (ANTs) sometimes form aggregates called anthocyanic vacuolar inclusions (AVIs). The formation mechanism of AVIs, which change the color of flowers to characteristic colors, is still unclear. In this study, the factors and the genes that regulate the formation of AVIs were investigated in Catharanthus roseus and Dahlia variabilis. Although the ANTs in the petals of both species were different, it was found that AVIs were formed only when specific ANTs were highly accumulated in each species. In dahlia, low expression of anthocyanin 3-O-glucoside-6''-O-malonyltransferase and flavone synthase was suggested to be involved in AVIs formation. The results of the crossbreeding experiments indicated that the AVIs-forming trait in Catharanthus roseus was recessive and likely regulated by one gene.

Free Research Field

園芸科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

アントシアニンを蓄積する花卉品目は多いが，AVIsを形成することがわかっている品目は数えるほどである．よって，本研究で得られたAVIs形成に関する知見は，ニチニチソウおよびダリアの花色育種に限らず，幅広い花卉品目の新奇花色開発に貢献できると考えられる．さらには，アントシアニンを蓄積する野菜や果実などの果皮色改変へも応用できる可能性がある．また，AVIsはアントシアニンの高蓄積との関連が示唆されているため，機能性物質であるアントシアニを高蓄積させた高機能性作物の育種への応用も見込める．