Xiaoping Zhu, Ying Chen, Ju Jiao, Shanshan Zhao, Yanfang Yan, Fengwang Ma, Jia-Long Yao, Pengmin Li
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Flavonols are widely synthesized throughout the plant kingdom, playing essential roles in plant physiology and providing unique health benefits for humans. Their glycosylation plays significant role in improving their stability and solubility, thus their accumulation and function. However, the genes encoding the enzymes catalyze this glycosylation remain largely unknown in apple. This study utilized a combination of methods to identify genes encoding such enzymes. Initially, candidate genes were selected based on their potential to encode UDP-dependent glycosyltransferases (UGTs) and their expression patterns in response to light induction. Subsequently, through testing the in vitro enzyme activity of the proteins produced in Escherichia coli cells, four candidates were confirmed to encode a flavonol 3-O-galactosyltransferase (UGT78T6), flavonol 3-O-glucosyltransferase (UGT78S1), flavonol 3-O-xylosyltransferase/arabinosyltransferase (UGT78T5), and flavonol 3-O-rhamnosyltransferase (UGT76AE22), respectively. Further validation of these genes' functions was conducted by modulating their expression levels in stably transformed apple plants. As anticipated, a positive correlation was observed between the expression levels of these genes and the content of specific flavonol glycosides corresponding to each gene. Moreover, overexpression of a flavonol synthase gene, MdFLS, resulted in increased flavonol glycoside content in apple roots and leaves. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at enriching apple flesh with flavonols and for identifying flavonol 3-O-glycosyltransferases of other plant species.
期刊介绍:
Publishing the best original research papers in all key areas of modern plant biology from the world"s leading laboratories, The Plant Journal provides a dynamic forum for this ever growing international research community.
Plant science research is now at the forefront of research in the biological sciences, with breakthroughs in our understanding of fundamental processes in plants matching those in other organisms. The impact of molecular genetics and the availability of model and crop species can be seen in all aspects of plant biology. For publication in The Plant Journal the research must provide a highly significant new contribution to our understanding of plants and be of general interest to the plant science community.