Low Expression of Flavonoid 3′,5′-Hydroxylase (F3′,5′H) Associated with Cyanidin-based Anthocyanins in Grape Leaf

Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify anthocyanin composition and transcription profiles of anthocyanin-synthesis-related genes in grape (<i>Vitis vinifera</i> L.) leaf during development. Berry skin accumulated both cyanidin-based anthocyanins and delphinidin-based anthocyanins during development and showed up-regulation of flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase gene (<i>F3</i>′,<i>5</i>′<i>H</i>) expression. Grape leaf, in contrast, accumulated a large amount of cyanidin-based anthocyanins during development. This result was supported by the low expression of <i>F3</i>′,<i>5</i>′<i>H</i> in developing grape leaf. The low expression of <i>F3</i>′,<i>5</i>′<i>H</i> and the low level of delphinidin-based anthocyanins in grape leaf were consistent in green-yellow-, purple-, and black-colored skin cultivars. Flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase gene (<i>F3</i>′<i>H</i>) expression increased in grape leaf during development. Since <i>F3</i>′,<i>5</i>′<i>H</i> regulates the synthesis of delphinidin-based anthocyanins and <i>F3</i>′<i>H</i> regulates the synthesis of cyanidin-based anthocyanins in plants, it is possible that grape leaf accumulates large amount of cyanidin-based anthocyanins through the cyanidin synthesis pathway regulated by <i>F3</i>′<i>H</i>.