Overexpression of snapdragon Delila (Del) gene in tobacco enhances anthocyanin accumulation and abiotic stress tolerance.
Rosea1 (Ros1) and Delila (Del) co-expression controls anthocyanin accumulation in snapdragon flowers, while their overexpression in tomato strongly induces anthocyanin accumulation. However, little data exist on how Del expression alone influences anthocyanin accumulation.



In tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum 'Xanthi'), Del expression enhanced leaf and flower anthocyanin production through regulating NtCHS, NtCHI, NtF3H, NtDFR, and NtANS transcript levels. Transgenic lines displayed different anthocyanin colors (e.g., pale red: T0-P, red: T0-R, and strong red: T0-S), resulting from varying levels of biosynthetic gene transcripts. Under salt stress, the T2generation had higher total polyphenol content, radical (DPPH, ABTS) scavenging activities, antioxidant-related gene expression, as well as overall greater salt and drought tolerance than wild type (WT).



We propose that Del overexpression elevates transcript levels of anthocyanin biosynthetic and antioxidant-related genes, leading to enhanced anthocyanin production and antioxidant activity. The resultant increase of anthocyanin and antioxidant activity improves abiotic stress tolerance.
Department of Horticultural Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 4165122, South Korea.
Aung Htay
AH
Naing
Department of Horticulture & Life Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea.
Kyeung Il
KI
Park
Department of Horticultural Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 4165122, South Korea.
Trinh Ngoc
TN
Ai
Department of Agricultural Education, Sunchon National University, Suncheon, South Korea.
Mi Young
MY
Chung
Department of Horticultural Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 4165122, South Korea.
Jeung Sul
JS
Han
Department of Horticultural Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 4165122, South Korea.
Young-Wha
YW
Kang
Department of Horticultural Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 4165122, South Korea.
Ki Byung
KB
Lim
Department of Horticultural Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 4165122, South Korea. ckkim@knu.ac.kr.
Chang Kil
CK
Kim
D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000235:genetics; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000872:Anthocyanins; D000975:Antioxidants; D010940:Plant Proteins; D012965:Sodium Chloride
Antioxidant activity; Drought stress; Salt stress; Transgenic tobacco; bHLH protein