A 94-bp deletion of anthocyanidin synthase gene in acyanic flower lines of lisianthus [eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn.]

Abstract

We studied the genomic sequence of the anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) gene in acyanic flower lines of lisianthus and detected a 94-bp deletion of the sequence in comparison with that of cyanic flower lines. Cross-pollination was made between acyanic and cyanic flower lines to yield F1 progeny, followed by its self-pollination. The segregated individuals between cyanic and acyanic flowers among the F2 population were of 24 and 8, respectively (3: 1), which suggested that one gene of the F1 hybrid was unequivocally involved in anthocyanin production. The homozygous ANS genes that have a set of 94-bp deletion co-segregated a recessive phenotype of white color in the F2 population. Genomic PCR of the ANS genes of the 14 independent lisianthus lines of acyanic flowers, such as white, yellow, pale yellow, and pale green flowers, revealed that all possessed a homozygous 94-bp deletion. The data support that the acyanic flower colors are associated with a 94-bp deletion in the ANS gene as a result of the loss of anthocyanin accumulation. JSHS © 2011.