Anthocyanin Receptor Expressions Across Tangela (Monjara tangela) Vines

Objective: The goal was to determine the correlation of anythocyanin production and receptor expression in different Tangela (Monjara tangelo) tissues to their color and known growth rates, and pin the molecular factors underlying vine whipping and defensive compound production. Methodology: Monjara tangela were exposed to varying levels of light:dark in regulated growth chambers for a period of eight weeks. Young vines and root scrapings were taken at each day in the experiment for cDNA extraction and quantitative PCR performed for chlorophyll, xanthophyll, and anthocyanin receptor expression. Results: Growth of finely glaucous vines was constant throughout the study period, with consistent development of fibrous swellings along the root apical meristem. In all conditions, flowering did not occur, with asexual runners produced consisting of no bracts and very few true leaves. Between the 3th and 5th week, the root meristem began to accumulate anthocyanin and turned red while the apical meristems differentiated into whip primordia. Chlorophyll a accumulation ceased at the onset of anthocyanin synthesis and the protein content per unit leaf area declined. Western blot analysis confirmed that reduced chlorophyll a and b expression at this time correlates with the maturation of the roots and the reallocation of proteomic resources towards developing the defensive semichemicals associated with its soporiforous spore production. The data can be used for future gene knockout experiments and better management of plant cultivation.