Articles
Structure analysis of genes involved in flower color formation of the orchid Spathoglottis plicata Blume
Article number
1334_18
Pages
143 – 152
Language
English
Abstract
Spathoglottis plicata is a popular terrestrial orchid plant because it is amenable to cultivation.
It can grow in a variety of different environments, make flowers throughout the year, and has attractive color patterns such as combinations of purple, white, and periwinkle.
The study of genes responsible for the formation of flower color in orchids is a great tool for plant breeding.
The main pigments in flowers are anthocyanins and carotenes, and when anthocyanins levels increase, the carotenoid content decreases.
The key gene responsible for anthocyanin synthesis is CHS (chalcone synthase) while the synthesis of carotene is regulated by PDS3 (phytoene desaturase). Also, changes in the sequence of chloroplast genes may cause diverse phenotypes, such as in the case of the VAR2 (Variegated 2) gene.
Thus, it is believed that the purple color of the flower organs is caused by the content of anthocyanins, while the white color is caused by carotene.
This research project aimed to analyze the sequence features from genes that play a role in the regulation of flower color in the S. plicata. The methods were carried out as follows: 1) genomic DNA isolation, 2) amplification of genomic DNA by using degenerate primers, 3) sequence analysis with Mega X to determine differences in the putative protein motifs.
The results showed that all primers amplified partial gene fragments except for the VAR2 gene, which is only amplified on genomic DNA from white tissues.
Also, sequence analyses showed sequence variation for CHS, PDS3, and VAR2 in different color patterns.
The putative motifs for the CHS protein were: Chal_sti_synt_C and ACP_syn_III_C, the PDS3 protein were: NAD_Binding_8; DAO; FAD_binding_2; FAD_binding_3 and Pyr_redox_2, while for the VAR2 protein only one protein motif was identified: FtsH-ext.
The mechanism behind these differences is unknown.
It can grow in a variety of different environments, make flowers throughout the year, and has attractive color patterns such as combinations of purple, white, and periwinkle.
The study of genes responsible for the formation of flower color in orchids is a great tool for plant breeding.
The main pigments in flowers are anthocyanins and carotenes, and when anthocyanins levels increase, the carotenoid content decreases.
The key gene responsible for anthocyanin synthesis is CHS (chalcone synthase) while the synthesis of carotene is regulated by PDS3 (phytoene desaturase). Also, changes in the sequence of chloroplast genes may cause diverse phenotypes, such as in the case of the VAR2 (Variegated 2) gene.
Thus, it is believed that the purple color of the flower organs is caused by the content of anthocyanins, while the white color is caused by carotene.
This research project aimed to analyze the sequence features from genes that play a role in the regulation of flower color in the S. plicata. The methods were carried out as follows: 1) genomic DNA isolation, 2) amplification of genomic DNA by using degenerate primers, 3) sequence analysis with Mega X to determine differences in the putative protein motifs.
The results showed that all primers amplified partial gene fragments except for the VAR2 gene, which is only amplified on genomic DNA from white tissues.
Also, sequence analyses showed sequence variation for CHS, PDS3, and VAR2 in different color patterns.
The putative motifs for the CHS protein were: Chal_sti_synt_C and ACP_syn_III_C, the PDS3 protein were: NAD_Binding_8; DAO; FAD_binding_2; FAD_binding_3 and Pyr_redox_2, while for the VAR2 protein only one protein motif was identified: FtsH-ext.
The mechanism behind these differences is unknown.
Authors
N. Nikmah, Y.A. Purwestri, E. Semiarti
Keywords
flower color pattern, anthocyanin, carotene, CHS, PDS3, VAR2
Groups involved
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