Characterization of flavonoids specific gene expression in the petals of Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation)

Abstract

This study aimed to develop carnation cultivars with new coloring system. We used four genes of Petunia hybrida-chalcone synthase (CHS), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (FHT), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), and anthocyanidin synthase (ANS)-as probes, in order to isolate four genes from carnations (Dianthus Caryophyllus). The isolated genes were used as probes in order to select mutants out of collected carnations, using Northern blot analysis. The Northern blot analysis revealed 10 DFR mutants-Gumbyul, Eunbyul, Ballatyne, Crystal, Eugenia, Koreno, Imp. White Sim, West Crystal, White Alpine, and White Charotte. Six among the selected 10 cultivarswere excluded from the target cultivars, because Eugenia, Imp. White Sim, and White Alpine were proved to be double mutants of DFR and ANS, Koreno was considered to be a double mutant of DFR and CHS, and Gumbyul and Ballatyne were proved to be double mutants of DFR and CHI (Chalcone isomerase). Consequently, we selected five DFR mutants, including Virginie, which was already selected as a DFR mutant. Finally, we measured DFR activities in order to confirm the selection, and the results showed that all of the five cultivars-Eunbyul, Crystal, West Crystal, White Charotte, and Virginie-had got no DFR activity.