title: Physiological factors affecting transcription of genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway in different rice varieties.
abstract: Flavonoids play an important role in the grain color and flavor of rice. Since their characterization in maize, the flavonoid biosynthetic genes have been extensively studied in grape, Arabidopsis, and Petunia. However, we are still a long way from understanding the molecular features and mechanisms underlying the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. The present study was undertaken to understand the physiological factors affecting the transcription and regulation of these genes. We report that the expression of CHI, CHS, DFR, LAR, and ANS, the 5 flavonoid biosynthetic genes in different rice varieties, differ dramatically with respect to the stage of development, white light, and sugar concentrations. We further demonstrate that white light could induce the transcription of the entire flavonoid biosynthetic gene pathway; however, differences were observed in the degrees of sensitivity and the required illumination time. Our study provides valuable insights into understanding the regulation of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences; Prefectural University of Hiroshima; Shobara, Japan; Rice Research Institute; Sichuan Agricultural University; Wenjiang, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences; Prefectural University of Hiroshima; Shobara, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Itani
authors.affiliation: Rice Research Institute; Sichuan Agricultural University; Wenjiang, Sichuan, PR China.
authors.forename: Xianjun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences; Prefectural University of Hiroshima; Shobara, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chikawa
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences; Prefectural University of Hiroshima; Shobara, Japan.
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Irifune
mesh_terms: D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D017343:Genes, Plant; D008027:Light; D012275:Oryza / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D005419:Flavonoids; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: Oryza sativaL; colored rice strains; flavonoid biosynthetic genes; glucose; sucrose