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Expression differences of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes reveal regulation patterns for red pear coloration

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Abstract

Key message

This research reveals the different expression patterns of anthocyanin biosynthesis enzyme genes and transcription factors in six red-skinned pear cultivars with different genetic backgrounds.

Abstract

Skin color is an important feature of pear fruits, with red skin generally attracting consumers. However, great differences of coloration exist in different pear cultivars. To elucidate the characteristics of pigmentation in pear cultivars with different genetic backgrounds, six cultivars, belonging to P. communis, P. pyrifolia, P. ussuriensis, P. bretschneideri, and a hybrid of P. communis × P. pyrifolia, were used to detect pigment concentrations, expressions of seven anthocyanin biosynthesis enzyme genes, and three related transcription factor genes. Results showed that the occidental pears ‘Starkrimson’ and ‘Red Bartlett’ colored at the beginning of fruit setting, but color decreased with fruit maturity; the other four cultivars showed low anthocyanin accumulations and the contents increased during fruit development, but also decreased at later stages. The expression patterns of genes encoding enzymes indicated that ANS and UFGT were decisive genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis for red-skinned pear, and their different expressions led to the coloration differences between occidental and oriental pears. The expression patterns of transcription factors indicated that the different co-expression of MYB10 and bHLH33 genes and the different expressions of WD40 are involved in the differential regulation mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis and coloration pattern between occidental and oriental pears.

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Abbreviations

ANS:

Anthocyanin synthase

bHLH:

Basic helix loop helix

CHI:

Chalcone isomerase

CHS:

Chalcone synthase

DAFB:

Days after full bloom

DFR:

DihydroXavonol 4-reductase

DEPC:

Diethylpyrocarbonate

F3H:

Flavanone 3-hydroxylase

PAL:

Phenylalanine ammonialyase

SE:

Standard error

TF:

Transcript factor

CT:

Threshold cycle

UFGT:

UDP-glucose: flavonoid-3-O-glucosyltransferase

qPCR:

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

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Acknowledgments

The work was financially supported by the National Science Foundation of China (31372045) ,Ministry of Education Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-13-0864),and the Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System (No.CARS-29).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Pear Engineering Technology Research, Nanjing Agricultural University, No. 1 Weigang Rd, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People’s Republic of China

    Ya-nan Yang, Gai-fang Yao, Shao-ling Zhang, Chao Wang, Ming-yue Zhang & Jun Wu

  2. Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA

    Danman Zheng

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  1. Ya-nan Yang
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  2. Gai-fang Yao
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  3. Danman Zheng
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  4. Shao-ling Zhang
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  5. Chao Wang
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  6. Ming-yue Zhang
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  7. Jun Wu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jun Wu.

Additional information

Communicated by Pedro Puigdomenech.

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Yang, Yn., Yao, Gf., Zheng, D. et al. Expression differences of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes reveal regulation patterns for red pear coloration. Plant Cell Rep 34, 189–198 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-014-1698-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-014-1698-0

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