AUTHOR=Li Boqiang , Xia Yongxiu , Wang Yuying , Qin Guozheng , Tian Shiping 

TITLE=Characterization of Genes Encoding Key Enzymes Involved in Anthocyanin Metabolism of Kiwifruit during Storage Period

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=8

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2017.00341

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2017.00341

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>‘Hongyang’ is a red fleshed kiwifruit with high anthocyanin content. In this study, we mainly investigated effects of different temperatures (25 and 0°C) on anthocyanin biosynthesis in harvested kiwifruit, and characterized the genes encoding key enzymes involved in anthocyanin metabolism, as well as evaluated the mode of the action, by which low temperature regulates anthocyanin accumulation in ‘Hongyang’ kiwifruit during storage period. The results showed that low temperature could effectively enhance the anthocyanin accumulation of kiwifruit in the end of storage period (90 days), which related to the increase in mRNA levels of <italic>ANS1, ANS2, DRF1, DRF2</italic>, and <italic>UGFT2</italic>. Moreover, the transcript abundance of <italic>MYBA1-1</italic> and <italic>MYB5-1</italic>, the genes encoding an important component of MYB–bHLH–WD40 (MBW) complex, was up-regulated, possibly contributing to the induction of specific anthocyanin biosynthesis genes under the low temperature. To further investigate the roles of AcMYB5-1/5-2/A1-1 in regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis, genes encoding the three transcription factors were transiently transformed in <italic>Nicotiana benthamiana</italic> leaves. Overexpression of AcMYB5-1/5-2/A1-1 activated the gene expression of <italic>NtANS</italic> and <italic>NtDFR</italic> in tobacco. Our results suggested that low temperature storage could stimulate the anthocyanin accumulation in harvested kiwifruit via regulating several structural and regulatory genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis.</p>