title: Characterization of major enzymes and genes involved in flavonoid and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis during fruit development in strawberry (Fragaria xananassa).
abstract: The biosynthesis of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins was studied in cultivated strawberry (Fragaria xananassa) by combining biochemical and molecular approaches. Chemical analyses showed that ripe strawberries accumulate high amounts of pelargonidin-derived anthocyanins, and a larger pool of 3',4'-hydroxylated proanthocyanidins. Activities and properties of major recombinant enzymes were demonstrated by means of in vitro assays, with special emphasis on specificity for the biologically relevant 4'- and 3',4'-hydroxylated compounds. Only leucoanthocyanidin reductase showed a strict specificity for the 3',4'-hydroxylated leucocyanidin, while other enzymes accepted either hydroxylated substrate with different relative activity rates. The structure of late flavonoid pathway genes, leading to the synthesis of major compounds in ripe fruits, was elucidated. Complex developmental and spatial expression patterns were shown for phenylpropanoid and flavonoid genes in fruits throughout ripening as well as in leaves, petals and roots. Presented results elucidate key steps in the biosynthesis of strawberry flavonoid end products.
authors.affiliation: ENEA, Trisaia Research Center, Department of Genetics and Genomics, S.S.106, km 419+500, 75026 Rotondella, MT, Italy.
authors.forename: João R M
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Preuss
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: C H Ric
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: de Vos
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deiml
authors.forename: Fabienne
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mourgues
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perrotta
authors.forename: Thilo C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Arnaud G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bovy
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rosati
mesh_terms: D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D031985:Fragaria / Q000502:physiology*; D005638:Fruit / Q000502:physiology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004798:Enzymes; D005419:Flavonoids; D010940:Plant Proteins; D044945:Proanthocyanidins