Excision of transposable elements from the chalcone isomerase and dihydroflavonol 4-reductase genes may contribute to the variegation of the yellow-flowered carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

• Published in: Plant and cell physiology Vol. 43; no. 5; pp. 578 - 585
• Main Authors: Itoh, Y. (Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei (Japan). Faculty of Technology), Higeta, D, Suzuki, A, Yoshida, H, Ozeki, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Oxford University Press 01.05.2002; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: 4-coumarate:CoA ligase; 4CL; Alcohol Oxidoreductases - genetics; Alcohol Oxidoreductases - metabolism; Amino Acid Sequence; ANS; anthocyanidin synthase; anthocyanin acyltransferase; Anthocyanins - biosynthesis; Base Sequence; Blotting, Northern; C4H; Chalcone - analogs & derivatives; Chalcone - metabolism; chalcone isomerase; chalcone synthase; CHALCONES; CHGT; CHI; CHS; cinnamate-4-hydroxylase; DFR; Dianthus - enzymology; Dianthus - genetics; DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS; dihydroflavonol 4-reductase; DNA Transposable Elements - genetics; DNA, Complementary - chemistry; DNA, Complementary - genetics; ENZYME ACTIVITY; EXCISION; F3H; flavanone 3-hydroxylase; flavone synthase; Flavonoids - biosynthesis; flavonol synthase; FLOWERS; FLS; FNL; GENES; Intramolecular Lyases - genetics; Intramolecular Lyases - metabolism; ISOMERASES; Key words: Carnation — Chalcone isomerase — Dianthus caryophyllus — Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase — dTdic1 — Transposable element; Molecular Sequence Data; OXIDOREDUCTASES; PAL; Phenotype; phenylalanine ammonia-lyase; Plant Stems - enzymology; Plant Stems - genetics; Plant Structures - enzymology; Plant Structures - genetics; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Sequence Analysis, DNA; UDP-glucose: chalcone 2′-glucosyltransferase; UDP-glucose:flavonoid glucosyltransferase; UFGT; VARIEGATION
• ISSN: 0032-0781; 1471-9053
• DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcf065

In the 'Rhapsody' cultivar of the carnation, which bears white flowers variegated with red flecks and sectors, a transposable element, dTdic1, belonging to the Ac/Ds superfamily, was found within the dihydroflavonol 4reductase (DFR) gene. The red flecks and sectors of 'Rhapsody' may be attributable to a reversion to DFR activity after the excision of dTdic1. The yellow color of the carnation petals is attributed to the synthesis and accumulation of chalcone 2'-glucoside. In several of the carnation cultivars that bear yellow flowers variegated with white flecks and sectors, both the chalcone isomerase (CHI) and DFR genes are disrupted by dTdic1.