title: Cloning and characterization of a UV-B-inducible maize flavonol synthase.
abstract: Flavonols are important compounds for conditional male fertility in maize (Zea mays) and other crops, and they also contribute to protecting plants from UV-B radiation. However, little continues to be known on how maize and other grasses synthesize flavonols, and how flavonol biosynthesis is regulated. By homology with an Arabidopsis flavonol synthase (AtFLS1), we cloned a maize gene encoding a protein (ZmFLS1) capable of converting the dihydrokaempferol (DHK) and dihydroquercetin (DHQ) dihydroflavonols to the corresponding flavonols, kaempferol (K) and quercetin (Q). Moreover, ZmFLS1 partially complements the flavonol deficiency of the Arabidopsis fls1 mutant, and restores anthocyanin accumulation to normal levels. We demonstrate that ZmFLS1 is under the control of the anthocyanin (C1/PL1 + R/B) and 3-deoxy flavonoid (P1) transcriptional regulators. Indeed, using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments, we establish that ZmFLS1 is an immediate direct target of the P1 and C1/R regulatory complexes, revealing similar control as for earlier steps in the maize flavonoid pathway. Highlighting the importance of flavonols in UV-B protection, we also show that ZmFLS1 is induced in maize seedlings by UV-B, and that this induction is in part mediated by the increased expression of the P1, B and PL1 regulators. Together, our results identify a key flavonoid biosynthetic enzyme so far missed in maize and other monocots, and illustrate mechanisms by which flavonol accumulation is controlled in maize.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos (CEFOBI), Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, Rosario, Argentina.
authors.forename: María Lorena
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Falcone Ferreyra
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rius
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Emiliani
authors.forename: Lucille
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pourcel
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.forename: Kengo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Morohashi
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Casati
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grotewold
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D044948:Flavonols / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018749:RNA, Plant / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D003313:Zea mays / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D044948:Flavonols; D010940:Plant Proteins; D018749:RNA, Plant; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C085313:flavonol synthase