Different color regulation mechanism in willow barks determined using integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses

Abstract

Background The rich yellow-orange to vividly deep red bark of willow (Salix spp.) branches have high ornamental and economic value. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of willow branch color remains unknown. Therefore, we performed metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses of purple, green, and red willow barks to elucidating the mechanisms regulating color development. Results Seven anthocyanins were isolated; pelargonidin, petunidin 3-O-rutinoside, and cyanin chloride were the most abundant in red bark, whereas pelargonin chloride was most abundant in purple bark. The green bark contained the highest level of malvidin; however, the malvidin level was not significantly higher than in the red bark. The purple bark contained the largest amount of canthaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment. The integrated pathways of flavonoid biosynthesis, carotenoid biosynthesis, and porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism were constructed for the willow barks. Among the three barks, the expression of the structural genes ANS, ANR, and BZ1, which are involved in anthocyanin synthesis, was the highest in red bark, likely causing anthocyanin accumulation. The expression of CrtZ, which participates in the carotenoid pathway, was the highest in purple bark, likely leading to canthaxanthin accumulation. The high expression of DVR, POR, and CRD1 may be associated with green pigment synthesis in the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway. Conclusions Purple bark color is co-regulated by anthocyanins and carotenoids, whereas red bark is characterized by anthocyanin accumulation and chlorophyll degradation. The green pigment is regulated by maintaining chlorophyll synthesis. BZ1 and CrtZ are candidate genes regulating anthocyanin and canthaxanthin accumulation in red and purple barks respectively. Collectively, our results may facilitate the genetic breeding and cultivation of colorful willows with improved color and luster.

Genome-wide identification of GA2ox genes family and analysis of PbrGA2ox1-mediated enhanced chlorophyll accumulation by promoting chloroplast development in pear

“…Notably, we also observed the downregulation of two key anthocyanin-induced genes in the OE lines compared to the WT lines (Fig. S6a and b in Additional File 1 ), indicating suppressed anthocyanin synthesis in the OE plants, which represented an opposing trend to Chl accumulation [ 50 , 51 ]. In addition, KEGG pathway enrichment also showed that some DEGs were closely associated with MAPK signaling and plant-pathogen interaction (Fig.…”

Why the adventitious roots of poplar are so colorful: RNAseq and metabolomic analysis reveal flavonols, flavones, and anthocyanins accumulation in canker pathogens-induced adventitious roots in poplar

“…Anthocyanin synthase (ANS) and BZ1 (Bronze 1) are the last two enzymes involved in anthocyanins biosynthesis, which catalyze the conversion of leucoanthocyanidin to anthocyanidins and then the glycosylation of anthocyanidins (Feng et al 2021; Wilmouth et al 2002). Coexpression of gene ANS and BZ1 were observed in plants and positively associated with the biosynthesis of flavonoid/anthocyanin (Zhou et al 2022; Liu et al 2022b); moreover, the other genes involved in flavonoids biosynthesis (such as genes encoding PAL, C4H, CHS, F3H, ANR, F3’Hs, DFRs, LAR, GT1, etc.) were also significantly upregulated (Liu et al 2022b), suggesting a de novo biosynthesis of flavonoids and anthocyanins in duckweed variety.…”

“…Coexpression of gene ANS and BZ1 were observed in plants and positively associated with the biosynthesis of flavonoid/anthocyanin (Zhou et al 2022;Liu et al 2022b); moreover, the other genes involved in flavonoids biosynthesis (such as genes encoding PAL, C4H, CHS, F3H, ANR, F3'Hs, DFRs, LAR, GT1, etc.) were also significantly upregulated (Liu et al 2022b), suggesting a de novo biosynthesis of flavonoids and anthocyanins in duckweed variety.…”

Identification of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) MicroRNAs through Deep Sequencing and Their Impact on Plant Secondary Metabolism

“…Astaxanthins are carotenoids with high pharmaceutical importance synthesized by ketolase and beta-carotene 3-hydroxylase enzymes from β-carotene [42]. Importantly, beta-carotene 3-hydroxylase and other related enzymes are responsible for ratelimiting steps in β-carotene catalysis [43]. Therefore, the cumin novel miRNA cci-miRN2-3p could represent a key regulator in astaxanthins biosynthesis.…”