Flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes in grape skin are differentially regulated by temperature and light conditions

Abstract

Temperature and light are important environmental factors that affect flavonoid biosynthesis in grape berry skin. However, the interrelationships between temperature and light effects on flavonoid biosynthesis have not been fully elucidated at the molecular level. Here, we investigated the effects of temperature and light conditions on the biosynthesis of flavonoids (anthocyanins and flavonols) and the expression levels of related genes in an in vitro environmental experiment using detached grape berries. Sufficient anthocyanin accumulation in the grape skin was observed under a low temperature (15 °C) plus light treatment, whereas high temperature (35 °C) or dark treatment severely suppressed anthocyanin accumulation. This indicates that the accumulation of anthocyanins is dependent on both low temperature and light. qRT-PCR analysis showed that the responses of three MYB-related genes (VlMYBA1-3, VlMYBA1-2, and VlMYBA2) to temperature and light differed greatly even though the products of all three genes had the ability to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway genes. Furthermore, the expression levels of other MYB-related genes and many flavonoid biosynthesis pathway genes were regulated independently by temperature and light. We also found that temperature and light conditions affected the anthocyanin composition in the skin through the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway genes. Our results suggest that low temperature and light have a synergistic effect on the expression of genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. These findings provide new information about the relationships between environmental factors and flavonoid accumulation in grape berry skin.

Role of Temperature and Soil Moisture Conditions on Flavonoid Production and Biosynthesis-Related Genes in Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) Leaves

“…Treatment duration; however, tended to change C4H and CHS gene expression as their expression levels were consistent with total flavonoid content, further supporting the close relation between flavonoids biosynthesis and C4H and CHS expression. Similar results were reported in grape skin (V. labruscana) [7] and tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Suzanne) [31] showing increased CHS expression in response to lower temperatures.…”

“…It has been clearly demonstrated that environmental factors, such as temperature, light, and soil moisture content, affect flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation in many plants [4][5][6][7]. Additionally, several flavonoid biosynthesis pathway genes are expressed various parts of flowering plants (e.g., flowers, fruits, seeds, and leaves), with some have been isolated and characterized (e.g., grape [8]; azaleas [9,10]; bilberry [11,12]; Ginkgo [13]).…”

Anthocyanin concentration and antioxidant activity in light-emitting diode (LED)-treated apples in a greenhouse environmental control system

“…• C and anthocyanin concentrations were also decreased in grapes [24]. In light of the results of the present experiment, it appears that the range of temperature in the greenhouse was suitable for anthocyanin formation in apples.…”

Effects of Shading Treatments on Pigmentation and Inflorescence Quality of Calathea crotalifera Bracts

“…Also, Meng et al (2004) reported that the red colouration in ray floret of Gerbera hybrid is influenced and controlled by light. The low accumulation and composition of carotenoids and anthocyanin pigments in the overlapped part is due to the shading effect on the bracts (Cortell and Kennedy, 2006;Azuma et al, 2012). …”

“…Cortell and Kennedy (2006) have reported the effects of shading on the accumulation of anthocyanins and flavonoids in the Vitis vinifera L. fruit. Several researchers have reviewed that the environmental stimuli like light and temperature play a key role in the regulation of anthocyanins and carotenoid synthesis pathway in the fruits and also flowers (Meng et Guo and Wang, 2010;Azuma et al, 2012). Alebidi (2013) similarly reported that shading severely suppressed anthocyanin accumulation in the Malaysian wax apple skin.…”