Molecular cloning and analysis of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes preferentially expressed in apple skin

Anthocyanin is the major color pigment in plants. In order to understand anthocyanin biosynthesis mechanism in apple, the cDNAs encoding flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), and UDPglucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UFGT) were isolated from cDNA libraries prepared from the skin tissues of apple (Malus domestica Borkh. cv. Fuji). Deduced amino acid sequences of the cDNAs showed high homology to the sequences from other plants. Each gene is a member of a multigene family. The mRNAs of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes were detected preferentially in the skin tissue and expression of the genes was coordinately induced by light. The transcripts were detected abundantly in the skins of cultivars with red skin, but rarely in that of a cultivar carrying non-red fruit, suggesting that these genes have major roles in determination of apple skin color. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.