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Characterization and expression analysis of a chalcone isomerase-like gene in relation to petal color of Actinidia chrysantha

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Abstract

Chalcone isomerase-like (CHIL) belongs to the type IV CHI proteins whose roles in cell remain largely unclear. In the present study, we characterized an AcCHIL gene encoding Actinidia chrysantha CHIL protein. The very similar gene structure organization and high sequence identity of AcCHIL with the only two functionally reported CHIL genes (Japanese morning glory InCHIL and Arabidopsis AtCHIL) suggest a similar role of AcCHIL with AtCHIL and InCHIL in promoting flavonoid production and flower pigmentation. The spatial expression analysis shows that AcCHIL gene is expressed predominantly in leaves and stems of A. chrysantha. Consistent with the typical predicted low-temperature-responsive element, abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element and heat stress-responsive element in the promoter sequence of AcCHIL, the expression of AcCHIL gene in leaves and stems of A. chrysantha, and in petals of A. eriantha are significantly up-regulated by low-temperature and exogenous ABA, but down-regulated by heat stress, though the mRNA levels of AcCHIL in petals of A. chrysantha are always weak and not affected by those stresses. Pink-red petals of A. eriantha instead of golden-yellow petals of A. chrysantha accumulated substantial anthocyanin in response to low temperature and exogenous ABA. Heat stress decreased the anthocyanin accumulation in A. eriantha petals. Interestingly, the content of a yellow colored chalcone, chalcone 2′-glucoside in golden-yellow petals of A. chrysantha is significantly higher than that in pink-red petals of A. eriantha under both the stressed and control conditions. A close correlation between the low levels of AcCHIL mRNA and high levels of accumulated yellow colored chalcone 2′-glucoside in A. chrysantha petals gives an explanation for the formation of distinctive golden-yellow petals in A. chrysantha.

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  1. College of Life Sciences, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, 510225, China

    Miaoxian Yang, Jiating Li, Chanjuan Ye & Hong Liang

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  1. Miaoxian Yang
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  2. Jiating Li
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  4. Hong Liang
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Correspondence to Hong Liang.

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Yang, M., Li, J., Ye, C. et al. Characterization and expression analysis of a chalcone isomerase-like gene in relation to petal color of Actinidia chrysantha. Biologia 72, 753–763 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1515/biolog-2017-0084

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