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Molecular Analysis of Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Genes and Control of Flower Coloration by Flavonoid 3′,5′-Hydroxylase (F3′5′H) in Dendrobium moniliforme

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Abstract

Dendrobium moniliforme is a native species of Korea. The flower of this species is composed of a reproductive column and white perianths including petals, sepals and lip, but the base of the column bears reddish purple pigment spots. Anthocyanins are major pigments that contribute flower color in Dendrobium. Three key anthocyanin biosynthetic genes encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), chalcone synthase (CHS), and flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H) were isolated and analyzed for their expression patterns in floral organs to understand the molecular mechanism underlying flower color development. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that F3'5'H transcripts were highly accumulated in the base of the column compared with those of perianths, but the other two genes showed no significant difference among the floral organs. Microprojectile bombardment using the white perianths revealed that the transient expression of F3'5'H gene, but not DFR and CHS genes, was sufficient to produce reddish purple colored pigmentation. These results suggest that the lack of colors in perianths of D. moniliforme is at least due to transcriptional control of F3'5'H. The data presented here may improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying floral color development in D. moniliforme and contribute to advances in orchid biotechnology.

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Abbreviations

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

CHS:

Chalcone synthase

DFR:

Dihydroflavonol 4-reductases

F3'5'H:

Flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase

F3'H:

Flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase

F3H:

Flavanone 3-hydroxylase

ANS:

Anthocyanidin synthase

DHK:

Dihydrokaempferol

DHQ:

Dihydroquercetin

DHM:

Dihydromyricetin

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported by a grant (the development and conservation of useful plant resources of in and outside the country, 2010) run by Korea National Arboretum and the “Priority Research Centers Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2009–0094060).”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Science Education and Institute of Science Education, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, 561-756, South Korea

    Sung Soo Whang, Wan Sook Um, Mi Sun Choi & Ja Choon Koo

  2. Subtropical Horticulture research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756, South Korea

    In-Ja Song, Pyung Ok Lim & Ja Choon Koo

  3. Department of Science Education, Jeju National University, Jeju, 690-756, South Korea

    Pyung Ok Lim

  4. National Arboretum, Gyenggi-do, 487-821, South Korea

    Kyung Choi & Kwang-Woo Park

  5. Babo Orchid Farm, Gyenggi-do, 472-831, South Korea

    Kyung-Won Kang

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  1. Sung Soo Whang
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Correspondence to Ja Choon Koo.

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Whang, S.S., Um, W.S., Song, IJ. et al. Molecular Analysis of Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Genes and Control of Flower Coloration by Flavonoid 3′,5′-Hydroxylase (F3′5′H) in Dendrobium moniliforme . J. Plant Biol. 54, 209–218 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12374-011-9158-7

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