LcGST4 is an anthocyanin-related glutathione S-transferase gene in Litchi chinensis Sonn.

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Web End = Plant Cell Rep (2016) 35:831843 DOI 10.1007/s00299-015-1924-4

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Web End = LcGST4 is an anthocyanin-related glutathione S-transferase gene in Litchi chinensis Sonn.

Bing Hu1,2 Jietang Zhao1 Biao Lai1,2 Yonghua Qin1 Huicong Wang2

Guibing Hu1,2

Received: 24 September 2015 / Revised: 15 December 2015 / Accepted: 18 December 2015 / Published online: 8 January 2016 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016

AbstractKey message A novel LcGST4 was identied and characterized from Litchi chinensis. Expression and functional analysis demonstrated that it might function in anthocyanin accumulation in litchi.

Abstract Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have been dened as detoxication enzymes for their ability to recognize reactive electrophilic xenobiotic molecules as well as endogenous secondary metabolites. Anthocyanins are among the few endogenous substrates of GSTs for vacuolar accumulation. The gene encoding a GST protein that is involved in anthocyanin sequestration from Litchi chinensis Sonn. has not been reported. Here, LcGST4, an anthocyanin-related GST, was identied and characterized. Phylogenetic analysis showed that LcGST4 was clustered with other known anthocyanin-related GSTs in the same clade. Expression analysis revealed that the expression pattern of LcGST4 was strongly correlated with anthocyanin accumulation in litchi. ABA- and light-responsive elements were found in the LcGST4 promoter, which is in agreement with the result that the expression of LcGST4 was induced by both ABA and debagging treatment. A GST activity assay in vitro veried that the LcGST4

protein shared universal activity with the GST family. Functional complementation of an Arabidopsis mutant tt19 demonstrated that LcGST4 might function in anthocyanin accumulation in litchi. Dual luciferase assay revealed that the expression of LcGST4 was activated by LcMYB1, a key R2R3-MYB transcription factor that regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi.

Keywords Anthocyanin Litchi chinensis Sonn.

Glutathione S-transferase

AbbreviationsABA Abscisic acidABC ATP binding cassetteC3G Cyanidin-3-O-glucosideCDNB 1-Chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzeneCPPU ForchlorfenuronDAA Days after anthesisGST Glutathione S-transferaseMATE Multidrug and toxic compound extrusion UFGT UDP-glucose:avonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase

Introduction

Anthocyanins are water-soluble avonoid pigments responsible for red, purple and blue coloration of leaves, owers and fruits (Mol et al. 1998). They function as visual signals to attract pollinators and also provide defense and protection...