Identification of the Genes Involved in Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Accumulation in Taxus chinensis

Abstract

Taxus chinensis is a precious woody species with significant economic value. Anthocyanin as flavonoid derivatives plays a crucial role in plant biology and human health. However, the genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis have not been identified in T. chinensis. In this study, twenty-five genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were identified, including chalcone synthase, chalcone isomerase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase, anthocyanidin synthase, flavonoid 3’-hydroxylase, flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, anthocyanidin reductase, and leucoanthocyanidin reductase. The conserved domains and phylogenetic relationships of these genes were characterized. The expression levels of these genes in different tissues and different ages of xylem were investigated. Additionally, the anthocyanin accumulation in xylem of different ages of T. chinensis was measured. The results showed the anthocyanin accumulation was correlated with the expression levels of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, anthocyanidin synthase, flavonoid 3’-hydroxylase, and flavonoid 3’,5’-hydroxylase. Our results provide a basis for studying the regulation of the biosynthetic pathway for anthocyanins and wood color formation in T. chinensis.

Integrated metabolome and transcriptome analysis unveils novel pathway involved in the fruit coloration of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr.

“…This was similar to the results of anthocyanin biosynthesis in torenia ( Torenia fournieri Lind.) and Taxus chinensis [ 30 , 31 ]. The UFGT gene plays a vital role in the synthesis and the final step of the accumulation of anthocyanins, and it is gradually activated along with the fruit coloring period [ 11 , 32 ].…”

Identification of microRNAs and their target genes related to the accumulation of anthocyanin in purple potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum)

“…The patterns of expression of PAL, CHI, 4CL, F3H, and UFGT were the same in the solanaceous black nightshade ( Solanum nigrum Linn.) (Saophea et al, 2020 ), grape ( Vitis vinifera L. × Vitis labrusca L.) berry skin (Wang et al, 2013 ), Taxus chinensis (Zhang et al, 2019 ), and the purple‐head trait of Chinese cabbage ( B. rapa L.) (He et al, 2020 ), which promoted the accumulation of anthocyanins. However, in black and white mulberry ( Morus nigra and Morus alba , respectively), the expression of F3H was upregulated in white and downregulated in black mulberry, which indicated that the expression of F3H inhibited the synthesis of anthocyanin (Huang et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The patterns of expression of PAL, CHI, 4CL, F3H, and UFGT were the same in the solanaceous black nightshade (Solanum nigrum Linn.) (Saophea et al, 2020), grape (Vitis vinifera L. Â Vitis labrusca L.) berry skin (Wang et al, 2013), Taxus chinensis (Zhang et al, 2019), and the purple-head trait of Chinese cabbage (B. rapa L.) (He et al, 2020), which promoted the accumulation of anthocyanins.…”

Integrative Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Mechanism of Specific Color Formation in Phoebe zhennan Heartwood

“…Wood color is one of the key factors determining the wood quality and economic value of tree plants, especially those used in the furniture, flooring, and other high-value decorative industries [ 1 , 2 ]. “Golden-thread nanmu” is a well-known, highly valuable timber industry product because of its attractive golden color, distinctive fragrance, and durability [ 3 ].…”