Inheritance of the An2 Gene and Epistatic Interactions in Petunia exserta × P. axillaris Hybrids

Abstract

A regulatory gene, An2, controls structural genes within the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. The inheritance of An2 expression in crosses between P. axillaris (an2) and P. exserta (An2+) was studied. Floral pigmentation was quantitatively inherited and involved the expression of a single regulatory gene (An2) and three structural genes (Hf1, An6 and Fl). White flowers were produced in an2- genotypes; while pigmented flowers were produced in An2+ genotypes. The intensity of pigmentation was determined by the interaction of An2 with An6, Hf1 and Fl, as well as substrate competition between the An6 and Fl encoded enzymes.