Organ-specific transcription of putative flavonol synthase genes of grapevine and effects of plant hormones and shading on flavonol biosynthesis in grape berry skins

In order to investigate the control mechanism of flavonol biosynthesis of grapevine, we obtained five genomic sequences (FLS1 to FLS5) of putative flavonol synthase genes from Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon. The mRNA of five FLSs accumulated in flower buds and flowers, while the mRNA of FLS2, FLS4, and FLS5 accumulated in small berry skins and then decreased toward veraison. At the ripening stage, the mRNA of only FLS4 and FLS5 accumulated again. This change in mRNA accumulation did not contradict the flavonol accumulation in the berry skins. Shading of the berries completely inhibited the increase in flavonol content and mRNA accumulation of FLS4, but did not affect the mRNA accumulation of FLS5. The effects of light and plant hormones on flavonol accumulation were different from those on anthocyanin accumulation. Thus flavonol biosynthesis appears to be under a different control system from that of anthocyanin biosynthesis.