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Disruption of specific flavonoid genes enhances the accumulation of flavonoid enzymes and end-products in Arabidopsis seedlings

Plant Molecular Biology volume 40, pages 45–54 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

Polyclonal antibodies were developed against the flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes, CHS, CHI, F3H, FLS, and LDOX from Arabidopsis thaliana. These antibodies were used to perform the first detailed analysis of coordinate expression of flavonoid metabolism at the protein level. The pattern of flavonoid enzyme expression over the course of seedling development was consistent with previous studies indicating that chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), and flavonol synthase (FLS) are encoded by ‘early’ genes while leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LDOX) is encoded by a ‘late’ gene. This sequential expression may underlie the variations in flavonoid end-products produced during this developmental stage, as determined by HPLC analysis, which includes a shift in the ratio of the flavonols, quercetin and kaempferol. Moreover, immunoblot and HPLC analyses revealed that several transparent testa lines blocked at intermediate steps of the flavonoid pathway actually accumulated higher levels of specific flavonoid enzymes and end-products. These results suggest that specific intermediates may act as inducers of flavonoid metabolism.

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Author notes

  1. Matthew K. Pelletier

    Present address: Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Tower Rd., Ithaca, NY , 14853, USA

Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA , 24061–0406, USA

    Ian E. Burbulis & Brenda Winkel-Shirley

Authors
  1. Matthew K. Pelletier
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  2. Ian E. Burbulis
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  3. Brenda Winkel-Shirley
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Pelletier, M.K., Burbulis, I.E. & Winkel-Shirley, B. Disruption of specific flavonoid genes enhances the accumulation of flavonoid enzymes and end-products in Arabidopsis seedlings. Plant Mol Biol 40, 45–54 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026414301100

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026414301100

  • antibodies
  • Arabidopsis
  • flavonoid biosynthesis
  • HPLC