Flavonoid biosynthesis in white-flowered Sim carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus)

• Published in: Scientia horticulturae Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 333 - 347
• Main Authors: Mato, Masami, Onozaki, Takashi, Ozeki, Yoshihiro, Higeta, Daisuke, Itoh, Yoshio, Yoshimoto, Yasuko, Ikeda, Hiroshi, Yoshida, Hiroyuki, Shibata, Michio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 05.06.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Anthocyanidin synthase; Biological and medical sciences; Dianthus caryophyllus; Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase; Economic plant physiology; Flavanone 3-hydroxylase; Flavonoid; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Nutrition. Photosynthesis. Respiration. Metabolism; Reserves and secretions. Pigments. Phytochromes; White flower; Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase; Anthocyanidin synthase; Flavanone 3-hydroxylase; Dianthus caryophyllus; Flavonoid; White flower; Anthocyanin; Acyltransferases; Enzyme; Naringenin 3-dioxygenase; Transferases; Color; Biosynthesis; Dihydrokaempferol 4-reductase; Gene expression; Pigmentation; Caryophyllaceae; Organic pigment; Enzymatic activity; Naringenin-chalcone synthase; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Flower crop; Anthocyanidin; Spermatophyta; Glycoside; Oxidoreductases
• ISSN: 0304-4238; 1879-1018
• DOI: 10.1016/S0304-4238(99)00140-5

Analysis of flavonoid composition and gene expression of enzymes involved in anthocyanin synthesis in flowers of four acyanic and one cyanic cultivar of Sim carnation showed that the acyanic flower cultivars are divided into three types. The first includes two normal white cultivars, ‘U Conn Sim’ and ‘White Sim’; the second includes a nearly pure white cultivar, ‘Kaly’; and the third includes a nearly pure white cultivar, ‘White Mind’. ‘U Conn Sim’ and ‘White Sim’ accumulated flavonol glycosides and lacked anthocyanins. The transcription of the several genes of enzymes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis were reduced at a later flowering stage than the cyanic cultivar, especially the genes encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase and anthocyanidin synthase. ‘Kaly’ accumulated flavanone glycosides and a small amount of flavonol and flavone glycosides by blocking the transcription of the gene encoding flavanone 3-hydroxylase, in addition to the transcriptional reduction of the genes for flavonoid biosynthesis at a later flowering stage. Although ‘White Mind’ contains little flavonoid, the position of the block on flavonoid biosynthesis in ‘White Mind’ is not known.