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Shift in polyphenol profile and sublethal phenotype caused by silencing of anthocyanidin synthase in apple (Malus sp.)

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Abstract

We have investigated the consequences of blocking anthocyanin biosynthesis by silencing a key enzyme, anthocyanidin synthase, in transgenic plants of a red-leaved apple cultivar. This is complementary to a previous study of induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis by overexpressing a heterologous transcription factor. Analysis of these opposite phenotypes allows one to study anthocyanin functions in apple and to test the influence of the genetic manipulation on other, related metabolites. As expected, anthocyanin biosynthesis was almost completely blocked and this was accompanied by a shift in the profile of flavonoids and related polyphenols. Most interestingly, a rise in epicatechin was found. A severe reduction of viability by necrotic leaf lesions was also observed, suggesting an essential function of anthocyanins in apple.

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Abbreviations

ANS:

Anthocyanidin synthase

ANR:

Anthocyanidin reductase

BAP:

6-Benzylaminopurine

CaMV:

Cauliflower mosaic virus

CHI:

Chalcone isomerase

CHS:

Chalcone synthase

Conc:

Concentration

DFR:

Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase

FGT:

UDP-Glucose:flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase

FHT:

Flavanon 3-beta-hydroxylase (=F3H)

FLS:

Flavonol synthase

GA:

Gibberellic acid

HPLC:

High-performance liquid chromatography

IBA:

Indole-3-butyric acid

LAR1+2:

Leucoanthocyanidin reductase 1+2

LC/MS:

Liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy

MS:

Murashige and Skoog

PAL:

Phenylalanin ammonia lyase

P2′GT:

Phloretin 2′-glucosyltransferase

TDZ:

Thidiazuron

YEP:

Yeast extract broth

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Anja Härter for technical assistance during identification and quantification of phenolics compounds. Jarod Rollins is gratefully acknowledged for correcting the English text. The authors acknowledge the financial support for substantial parts of this work by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biological Production Systems, Fruit Science Section, Leibniz University of Hannover, Herrenhaeuser Str. 2, 30419, Hannover, Germany

    Iris Szankowski & Houhua Li

  2. Julius Kühn-Institute, Federal Research Centre on Cultivated Plants, Institute for Breeding Research on Horticultural and Fruit Crops, Pillnitzer Platz 3a, 01326, Dresden, Germany

    Henryk Flachowsky & Magda-Viola Hanke

  3. Institute of Chemical Engineering, Technical University of Vienna, Getreidemarkt 9/173, 1060, Vienna, Austria

    Heidrun Halbwirth & Karl Stich

  4. Unit of Fruit Science, Department for Plant Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Dürnast 2, 85350, Freising, Germany

    Dieter Treutter & Ionela Regos

  5. Plant Biochemistry, LMU Munich, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany

    Thilo C. Fischer

Authors
  1. Iris Szankowski
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  2. Henryk Flachowsky
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  3. Houhua Li
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  4. Heidrun Halbwirth
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  5. Dieter Treutter
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  6. Ionela Regos
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  7. Magda-Viola Hanke
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  8. Karl Stich
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  9. Thilo C. Fischer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thilo C. Fischer.

Additional information

I. Szankowski and H. Flachowsky contributed equally to this work.

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Szankowski, I., Flachowsky, H., Li, H. et al. Shift in polyphenol profile and sublethal phenotype caused by silencing of anthocyanidin synthase in apple (Malus sp.). Planta 229, 681–692 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-008-0864-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-008-0864-4

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