title: Factor Analysis of MYB Gene Expression and Flavonoid Affecting Petal Color in Three Crabapple Cultivars.
abstract: Flavonoid biosynthesis has received much attention concerning the structural genes and expression of the associated transcription factors (TFs). In the present study, we examined the gene expression patterns for petals of three colors using a statistical method. Factor analysis was successfully used to examine the expression patterns most present during regulation. The first expression patterns in the white and red petals were clearly demonstrated and have revealed different mechanisms of producing the proper components, whereas that in the pink petals was more complex, requiring factor analysis to supplement the other results. Combining the results of the correlation analysis between TFs and structural genes, the effects of each TF on the main expression pattern in each cultivar were determined. Moreover,McMYB10was implicated in the regulation of the gene expression pattern in red petals, andMcMYB5was implicated in the maintenance of the balance of the pigment components and proanthocyanin (PA) production in cooperation withMcMYB4to generate pigmentation in the pink petals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application of Beijing, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environmental Improvement with Forestry and Fruit TreesBeijing, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application of Beijing, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environmental Improvement with Forestry and Fruit TreesBeijing, China.
authors.forename: Yingying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application of Beijing, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environmental Improvement with Forestry and Fruit TreesBeijing, China.
authors.forename: YuFen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bu
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application of Beijing, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environmental Improvement with Forestry and Fruit TreesBeijing, China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Key Laboratory of New Technology in Agricultural Application of Beijing, Beijing University of AgricultureBeijing, China; Beijing Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environmental Improvement with Forestry and Fruit TreesBeijing, China.
authors.forename: Yuncong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
keywords: Malus crabapple; factor analysis; flavonoids; gene expression pattern; petal pigmentation