Heterologous expression of two gentian cytochrome P450 genes can modulate the intensity of flower pigmentation in transgenic tobacco plants

Two different heterologous expression systems, microsomal fractions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and transgenic tobacco plants, were used to investigate the enzymatic activities of flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase (GtF3'H) and flavone synthase II (GtFSII) homologues isolated from gentian petals. Recombinant GtF3'H expressed in yeast showed hydroxylation activities in the 3' position with several flavonoid substrates, while recombinant GtFSII was able to produce flavone from flavanone. GtF3' H-expressing transgenic tobacco plants showed a slight increase in anthocyanin content and flower color intensity, and conversion of the flavonol quercetin from kaempferol. On the other hand, GtFSII-expressing plants showed a remarkable reduction in anthocyanin content and flower color intensity, and additional accumulation of flavone, especially luteolin derivatives. We demonstrated that two cytochrome P450s from gentian petals have F3'H and FSII enzymatic activities both in vitro and in vivo, and might therefore be useful in modification of flower color using genetic engineering.