Activity changes of calmodulin and Ca2+-ATPase during low-temperature-induced anthocyanin accumulation in Alternanthera bettzickiana

Effect of low temperature on anthocyanin accumulation in seedlings of Alternanthera bettzickiana and activity changes of calmodulin (CaM) and Ca2+-ATPase under low temperature were studied. Results indicate that the increase of anthocyanin content was obviously paralleled not only by the activity of CaM but also by the activity of Ca2+-ATPase. In addition, seedlings were pretreated with CaM antagonist [chlorpromazine (CPZ)] before low-temperature treatment in order to further investigate whether CaM plays a role in anthocyanin accumulation. CPZ pretreatment inhibited the activity of CaM and Ca2+-ATPase and caused a reduction in anthocyanin levels. Hence, it is concluded that CaM and Ca2+-ATPase were directly correlated with anthocyanin accumulation under low temperature, Ca-2 +/- CaM may be involved in low-temperature signal transduction leading anthocyanin synthesis.