Main conclusion
DcMYB11, an R2R3 MYB gene associated with petiole anthocyanin pigmentation in carrot, was functionally characterized. A putative enhancer sequence is able to increase DcMYB11 activity.
Abstract
The accumulation of anthocyanin pigments can exhibit different patterns across plant tissues and crop varieties. This variability allowed the investigation of the molecular mechanisms behind the biosynthesis of these pigments in several plant species. Among crops, carrots have a well-defined anthocyanin pigmentation pattern depending on the genic background. In this work, we report on the discovery of DNA structural differences affecting the activity of an R2R3 MYB (encoded by DcMYB11) involved in anthocyanin regulation in carrot petiole. To this end, we first verified the function of DcMYB11 using heterologous systems and identified three different alleles which may explain differences in petiole pigmentation. Characterization of the DcMYB11 alleles at the 5' upstream sequence unveiled a sequence that functions as a putative enhancer. In conclusion, this study provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms controlling anthocyanin accumulation in carrot. By these outcomes, we expanded our knowledge on the cis-regulatory sequences in plants.
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Data availability
Detailed data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Abbreviations
- Gp:
-
Green petiole
- Pp:
-
Purple petiole
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Changqing Zhang from N.C. State University Plants for Human Health Institute for providing us the plasmid vectors (pF35SE and pFAGM) used in this study.
Funding
This work was supported by the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch Project 1008691 and Award No. 2022–67013-36389. VDA was supported by ExPoPe-STAR-Line 1, 2017-Unina-Intesa San Paolo and Short Mobility of program of University of Naples Federico II.
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D’Amelia, V., Curaba, J., Abid, M.A. et al. Functional characterization of DcMYB11, an R2R3 MYB associated with the purple pigmentation of carrot petiole. Planta 258, 50 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-023-04200-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-023-04200-5