Abstract
In flowers of Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation), the gene I is concerned with a discrete step in flavonoid biosynthesis, Genotypes with recessive (ii) alleles produce yellow flowers, which contain the chalcone isosalipurposide (naringenin-chalcone-2′-glucoside) as the major petal pigment, but in genotypes with wild-type alleles flavonols and anthocyanins can be formed and the flowers are white or red. Enzymatic measurements on petal extracts of four strains with different flower coloration revealed a clear correlation between accumulation of chalcone in recessive genotypes and deficiency of chalcone isomerase (E.C. 5.5.1.6) activity. From the chemogenetic and enzymological evidence it can be concluded that naringenin-chalcone is the first product of the synthesis of the flavonoid skeleton and that only the conversion of naringenin-chalcone to naringenin furnishes the substrate for the further reactions to flavonol and anthocyanin.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boland, M. J., Wong, E. (1975). Purification and kinetic properties of chalcone-flavanone isomerase from soya bean. Eur. J. Biochem. 50383.
de Vlaming, P., and Kho, F. F. K. (1976). 4,2′,4′,6′-Tetrahydroxychalcone in pollen of Petunia hybrida. Phytochemistry 15348.
Forkmann, G. (1977). Precursors and genetic control of anthocyanin synthesis in Matthiola incana R. Br. Planta 137159.
Forkmann, G., and Kuhn, B. (1979). Genetic control of chalcone isomerase activity in anthers of Petunia hybrida. Planta 144189.
Geissman, T. A., and Mehlquist, G. A. L. (1947). Inheritance in the carnation, Dianthus caryophyllus. IV. The chemistry of flower colour variation. Genetics 32410.
Grambow, H. J., and Grisebach, H. (1971). Further studies on biosynthesis of flavonoids in Datisca cannabina. Phytochemistry 10789.
Grisebach, H. (1962). Die Biosynthese der Flavonoide. Planta Med. 10385.
Hahlbrock, K., and Grisebach, H. (1975). Biosynthesis of flavonoids. In Harborne, J. B., Mabry, T. J., and Mabry, H., (eds), The Flavonoids, Chapman and Hall, London, pp. 866–915.
Hahlbrock, K., Wong, E., Schill, L., and Grisebach, H. (1970). Comparison of chalcone-flavanone isomerase heterozymes and isoenzymes. Phytochemistry 9949.
Harborne, J. B. (1966). Comparative biochemistry of flavonoids. I. Distribution of chalcone and aurone pigments in plants. Phytochemistry 5111.
Harborne, J. B. (1967). Comparative Biochemistry of Flavonoids, Academic Press, New York.
Jarret, J. M., and Williams, A. H. (1967). The flavonoid glycosides of Salix purpurea. Phytochemistry 61585.
Kreuzaler, F., and Hahlbrock, K. (1975). Enzymic synthesis of an aromatic ring from acetate units. Eur. J. Biochem. 56205.
Kuhn, B., Forkmann, G., and Seyffert, W. (1978). Genetic control of chalcone-flavanone isomerase activity in Callistephus chinensis. Planta 138199.
Mabry, T.J., Markham, K. R., and Thomas, M. B. (1970). The Systematic Identification of Flavonoids, Springer, New York.
Mehlquist, G. A. L., and Geissman, T. A. (1947). Inheritance in the carnation, Dianthus caryophyllus. III. Inheritance of flower colour. Ann. Miss. Bot. Gard. 3439.
Moustafa, E., and Wong, E. (1967). Purification and properties of chalcone-flavanone isomerase from soya bean seed. Phytochemistry 6625.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
These investigations were supported by a grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Forkmann, G., Dangelmayr, B. Genetic control of chalcone isomerase activity in flowers of Dianthus caryophyllus . Biochem Genet 18, 519–527 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00484399
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00484399