ABSTRACT
In this work we analysed, at the transcript level, the response of Arabidopsis anthocyanin regulatory genes of the MYB (PAP1 and PAP2), bHLH (TT8, EGL3 and GL3) and WD40 (TTG1) families to white light in seedlings and to different light qualities in rosette leaves. Our experiments showed strong light induction of the MYB genes PAP1 and PAP2. In particular, the kinetics of PAP1 expression preceded those of PAP2 and all of the structural genes (CHS, DFR, F3H, LDOX), consistent with the hypothesis that it has a key role in light induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis. All bHLH genes analysed showed light induction, and in seedlings their expression preceded that of the late structural genes, suggesting their possible role in light regulation of these structural genes. TTG1 expression is essentially constitutive in both systems. Experiments with transgenic lines over-expressing the MYB factors show that PAP1, but not PAP2, strongly stimulates expression of the anthocyanin structural gene encoding dihydroflavonol reductase, but neither factor affected expression of the early flavonoid biosynthesis gene encoding chalcone synthase. Consistent with these findings, PAP1, but not PAP2, stimulated light induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in seedlings. We conclude that specific members of the MYB and bHLH families play important roles in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in response to different light qualities in Arabidopsis.
Subject(s)
Anthocyanins/genetics , Arabidopsis/genetics , Arabidopsis/radiation effects , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/radiation effects , Genes, Plant , Genes, Regulator , Light , Anthocyanins/biosynthesis , Arabidopsis Proteins , Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Seedlings/genetics , Seedlings/radiation effects , Transcription Factors/metabolismABSTRACT
Flavonoid biosynthesis gene expression is controlled by a range of endogenous and environmental signals. The Arabidopsis icx1 (increased chalcone synthase expression 1) mutant has elevated induction of CHS (CHALCONE SYNTHASE) and other flavonoid biosynthesis genes in response to several stimuli. We show that ICX1 is a negative regulator of the cryptochrome 1, phytochrome A, ultraviolet (UV)-B, low temperature, sucrose, and cytokinin induction of CHS expression and/or anthocyanin accumulation, demonstrating that these pathways are regulated either directly or indirectly by at least one common component. Expression analysis of CHS and other genes (LTP, CAB, and rbcS) indicates that ICX1 functions in both seedlings and mature leaf tissue and acts principally in the epidermis, consistent with the alterations in epidermal development seen in icx1. The mutant was unaltered in the synergistic interactions between UV-B, blue, and UV-A light that regulate CHS and we propose a model of action of ICX1 in these responses.
Subject(s)
Acyltransferases/genetics , Arabidopsis Proteins/genetics , Arabidopsis/genetics , Drosophila Proteins , Eye Proteins , Flavonoids/biosynthesis , Photoreceptor Cells, Invertebrate , Signal Transduction/genetics , Acyltransferases/metabolism , Anthocyanins/biosynthesis , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism , Cold Temperature , Cryptochromes , Cytokinins/pharmacology , Enzyme Induction/drug effects , Enzyme Induction/radiation effects , Flavoproteins/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Light , Mutation , Photosynthesis/genetics , Photosynthesis/physiology , Phytochrome/metabolism , Plant Epidermis/enzymology , Plant Epidermis/genetics , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Signal Transduction/radiation effects , Sucrose/pharmacology , Ultraviolet RaysABSTRACT
UV-B, UV-A and blue light control a variety of aspects of plant development via distinct photoreceptors and signalling pathways. The known photoreceptors for UV-A/blue light are cryptochrome (cry)1 and cry2, and the phototropism photoreceptor, phototropin. Redox processes are important in cry and phototropin signal transduction. A specific photoreceptor for UV-B has not been identified and there appear to be several possible UV-B signalling pathways. We are investigating the UV and blue light regulation of transcription of the chalcone synthase gene (CHS) in Arabidopsis. Experiments with photoreceptor mutants show that distinct UV-A/blue (cry mediated) and UV-B photoreception systems control CHS expression. Experiments with an Arabidopsis cell suspension culture show that the UV-B and cry1 signalling pathways differ kinetically and pharmacologically. In contrast to some other UV-B responses, the UV-B induction of CHS does not appear to involve oxidative stress signalling. Promoter elements and candidate transcription factors that effect CHS induction have been identified. Interactions within a network of UV-B, cry and phytochrome signalling pathways regulate CHS expression. Synergistic interactions between the UV-B pathway and distinct UV-A and blue-light pathways maximize the response. In addition, specific phytochromes positively control the cry1 pathway via distinct potentiation and coaction effects, and negatively regulate the UV-B pathway.
