Advances in the molecular regulation of anthocyanins in solanaceous vegetables / 生物工程学报

Anthocyanins are widely distributed water-soluble pigments that not only give the fruit colorful appearances, but also are important sources of natural edible pigments. In recent years, the interest on anthocyanins of solanaceous vegetables is increasing. This paper summarized the structure of anthocyanins and its biosynthetic pathway, the structural genes and regulatory genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in solanaceous vegetables, as well as the environmental factors affecting the biosynthesis. This review may help clarify the synthesis and regulation mechanism of anthocyanins in solanaceous vegetables and make better use of anthocyanins for quality breeding of fruit colors.

CENP-B is a conserved gene among vegetal species

To explore the CENP-B centromere protein in beans, carrots, onions and potatoes, total RNA was isolated and reverse transcribed by PCR, and the cDNA encoding the CENP-B amino terminus domain amplified using CENP-B oligonucleotides. Blots containing PCR products were hybridized with a nick-translated pG/CNPB probe containing a complete human CENP-B gene. In all the plant species, anti-CENP-B antibodies recognized an 80-kDa protein. A 360-bp sequence encoding for the amino terminus region of the CENP-B protein was amplified by PCR in all the species and the nick translated pG/CNPB probe hybridized with the PCR products. Apparently the CENP-B centromere protein or an equivalent protein is widely distributed in the vegetal kingdom.