Flavonoid components and flower color change in transgenic tobacco plants by suppression of chalcone isomerase gene.
A cDNA encoding chalcone isomerase (CHI) was isolated from the petals of Nicotiana tabacum and the effect of its suppression on flavonoid biosynthesis was analyzed in transgenic tobacco plants. CHI-suppression by RNA interference (RNAi) showed reduced pigmentation and change of flavonoid components in flower petals. The plants also accumulated high levels of chalcone in pollen, showing a yellow coloration. Our results first demonstrated that suppression of CHI by genetic transformation is possible in higher plants. This suggests that CHI plays a major part in the cyclization reaction from chalcone to flavanone, and that spontaneous reactions are few, if any, in tobacco plants.
Nishihara
Masahiro
M
Iwate Biotechnology Research Center, 22-174-4, Narita, Kitakami, Iwate 024-0003, Japan. mnishiha@ibrc.or.jp
Nakatsuka
Takashi
T
Yamamura
Saburo
S
D002599:Chalcone / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D044950:Flavanones / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D035264:Flowers / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D017343:Genes, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D019753:Intramolecular Lyases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D013489:Suppression, Genetic; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D044950:Flavanones; D005419:Flavonoids; D002599:Chalcone; D019753:Intramolecular Lyases; C019865:chalcone isomerase; C028610:flavanone