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Metabolic and molecular analyses of white mutant Vaccinium berries show down-regulation of MYBPA1-type R2R3 MYB regulatory factor

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Abstract

Main conclusion

MYBPA1-type R2R3 MYB transcription factor shows down-regulation in white mutant berries of Vaccinium uliginosum deficient in anthocyanins but not proanthocyanidins suggesting a role in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Berries of the genus Vaccinium are among the best natural sources of flavonoids. In this study, the expression of structural and regulatory flavonoid biosynthetic genes and the accumulation of flavonoids in white mutant and blue-colored wild-type bog bilberry (V. uliginosum) fruits were measured at different stages of berry development. In contrast to high contents of anthocyanins in ripe blue-colored berries, only traces were detected by HPLC–ESI–MS in ripe white mutant berries. However, similar profile and high levels of flavonol glycosides and proanthocyanidins were quantified in both ripe white and ripe wild-type berries. Analysis with qRT-PCR showed strong down-regulation of structural genes chalcone synthase (VuCHS), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (VuDFR) and anthocyanidin synthase (VuANS) as well as MYBPA1-type transcription factor VuMYBPA1 in white berries during ripening compared to wild-type berries. The profiles of transcript accumulation of chalcone isomerase (VuCHI), anthocyanidin reductase (VuANR), leucoanthocyanidin reductase (VuLAR) and flavonoid 3′5′ hydroxylase (VuF3′5′H) were more similar between the white and the wild-type berries during fruit development, while expression of UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (VuUFGT) showed similar trend but fourfold lower level in white mutant. VuMYBPA1, the R2R3 MYB family member, is a homologue of VmMYB2 of V. myrtillus and VcMYBPA1 of V. corymbosum and belongs to MYBPA1-type MYB family which members are shown in some species to be related with proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in fruits. Our results combined with earlier data of the role of VmMYB2 in white mutant berries of V. myrtillus suggest that the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Vaccinium species could differ from other species studied.

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Abbreviations

ANR:

Anthocyanidin reductase

ANS:

Anthocyanidin synthase

CHI:

Chalcone isomerase

CHS:

Chalcone synthase

DFR:

Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase

F3′5′H:

Flavonoid 3′5′ hydroxylase

LAR:

Leucoanthocyanidin reductase

UFGT:

UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation (AP), the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation (AP) and the Academy of Finland (LJ, Post-doctoral researcher’s project 123471).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Anja K. Primetta

  2. Genetics and Physiology Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, 90014, Oulu, Finland

    Katja Karppinen

  3. Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland

    Kaisu R. Riihinen

  4. Climate Laboratory Holt, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037, Tromsø, Norway

    Laura Jaakola

  5. NIBIO, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Box 2284, NO-9269, Tromsø, Norway

    Laura Jaakola

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  1. Anja K. Primetta
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Correspondence to Laura Jaakola.

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Additional information

Special topic: Polyphenols: biosynthesis and function in plants and ecosystems. Guest editor: Stefan Martens.

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425_2015_2363_MOESM4_ESM.pdf

Suppl. Fig. S1 The flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. CHS, chalcone synthase; CHI, chalcone isomerase; F3H, flavanone 3-hydroxylase; FLS, flavonol synthase; F3′H, flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase; F3′5′H, flavonoid 3′5′ hydroxylase; DFR, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase; ANS, anthocyanidin synthase; LAR, leucoanthocyanidin reductase; ANR, anthocyanidin reductase; UFGT, UDP-glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase 4 (PDF 108 kb)

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Primetta, A.K., Karppinen, K., Riihinen, K.R. et al. Metabolic and molecular analyses of white mutant Vaccinium berries show down-regulation of MYBPA1-type R2R3 MYB regulatory factor. Planta 242, 631–643 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-015-2363-8

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