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The endogenous GL3, but not EGL3, gene is necessary for anthocyanin accumulation as induced by nitrogen depletion in Arabidopsis rosette stage leaves

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Abstract

The bHLH transcription factors EGL3 (ENHANCER OF GLABRA3) and its close homologue GL3 (GLABRA3) are important regulators of the anthocyanin pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana, and together with TTG1 (a WD40 repeat protein) and MYB transcription factors regulate specific genes in the pathway. In response to nitrogen depletion, the MYB genes PAP1/PAP2 (production of anthocyanin pigment 1/2) and GL3 are strongly induced, and anthocyanin synthesis is activated in seedlings and rosette stage plants. In this study we show that anthocyanins accumulate in both wild type and egl3, but not in gl3 loss-of-function mutants when depleted of nitrogen. Several structural genes of flavonoid metabolism including CHS (chalcone synthase), FLS1 (flavonol synthase 1) and ANS (anthocyanidin synthase) were induced in response to nitrogen depletion in wild type as well as in the egl3 and gl3 mutants. Strikingly, in the gl3 mutant DFR (dihydroflavonol-4-reductase) transcript level was only 2% of the levels in wild type or egl3 mutant. Hence, low expression of DFR appears to be the bottleneck preventing anthocyanin synthesis in the gl3 mutant. The specific effect on DFR, but not ANS is compatible with involvement of the MYBL2 inhibitor.

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Abbreviations

ANS:

Anthocyanidin synthase

CHS:

Chalcone synthase

CHI:

Chalcone isomerase

DFR:

Dihydroflavonol-4-reductase

EGL3:

ENHANCER OF GLABRA3

F3H:

Flavanone 3-hydyroxylase

FLS:

Flavonol synthase

GL3:

GLABRA3

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonium lyase

PAP1(2):

PRODUCTION OF ANTHOCYANIN PIGMENT 1 (2)

TTG1:

TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA1

TT8:

TRANSPARENT TESTA8

WT:

Wild type.

F3′H:

Flavonoid 3′ hydroxylase

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science and Technology, Centre for Organelle Research, University of Stavanger, 4036, Stavanger, Norway

    Dugassa N. Feyissa, Trond Løvdal, Kristine M. Olsen & Cathrine Lillo

  2. PlantChem, Saerheim Research Center, 4353, Klepp stasjon, Norway

    Rune Slimestad

Authors
  1. Dugassa N. Feyissa
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  2. Trond Løvdal
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  3. Kristine M. Olsen
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  4. Rune Slimestad
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  5. Cathrine Lillo
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Correspondence to Cathrine Lillo.

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Feyissa, D.N., Løvdal, T., Olsen, K.M. et al. The endogenous GL3, but not EGL3, gene is necessary for anthocyanin accumulation as induced by nitrogen depletion in Arabidopsis rosette stage leaves. Planta 230, 747–754 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-009-0978-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-009-0978-3

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