[Expression of the genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis of 'Tsuda' turnip].

Abstract

'Tsuda' turnip (Brassica campestris L. ssp. rapa), in which roots anthocyanin pigmentation is light-sensitive, was used as the material. 'Tsuda' plants were held in darkness or irradiated with sun light and constant light for different time. Anthocyanins in root peel of 'Tsuda' turnip exposed to constant light were identified and quantified with a UV-visual spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated that the anthocyanins accumulation in 'Tsuda' was related with light-exposure time (Fig.1 and Table 1). Fragments of genes selected from the subtraction library of 'Tsuda' turnip involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were used as probes. The Northern blotting results showed that the expression of PAL, CHS, F3H, DFR and ANS could be induced by irradiation with light and the expression of these genes was related with light exposure time. The expression of MYB was basically the same whether in darkness or in light (Figs.2,3).