A low temperature promotes anthocyanin biosynthesis but does not accelerate endogenous abscisic acid accumulation in red-skinned grapes

The effect of temperature on the concentrations of anthocyanins and endogenous plant hormones [abscisic acid (ABA), auxin, and cytokinin] were investigated using the detached berries of two related red-skinned cultivars cv. 'Aki Queen' and 'Ruby Roman' of the table grape Vitis labrusca L. × Vitis vinifera L. The total anthocyanin concentration of both cultivars was lower when exposed to high rather than low temperatures after véraison (the onset of ripening). However, the responses to temperature differed between the two cultivars, and anthocyanin accumulation could occur in 'Ruby Roman' at a higher temperature than in 'Aki Queen'. High temperatures increased the expression of VlMybA1-2 and VlMybA1-3, which encode myeloblastosis (MYB)-related transcription factors; however, the expression of the anthocyanin biosynthesis-related structural genes uridine diphosphate-d-glucose: flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase, flavonoid 3'5' hydroxylase, and flavonoid O-methyltransferase at different temperatures did not correspond with that of the expression of MybAs. The concentration of ABA and its derivatives increased under high temperatures, but that of auxin and cytokinin decreased. The observation that high temperatures induced the accumulation of ABA and expression of VlMybA1s but not the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis-related structural genes implied the operation of a mechanism different from up-regulation of anthocyanin synthesis by VlMybA1s in the temperature response of grape berries.

Recombinant expression, purification, and characterization of polyphenol oxidase 2 (VvPPO2) from "Shine Muscat" (Vitis labruscana Bailey × Vitis vinifera L.)

Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) catalyze browning reactions in various plant organs, therefore controlling the reactions is important for the food industry. PPOs have been assumed to be involved in skin browning of white grape cultivars; however, the molecular mechanism underlying PPO-mediated browning process remains elusive. We have recently identified a new PPO gene named VvPPO2 from "Shine Muscat" (Vitis labruscana Bailey × V. vinifera L.), and have shown that the gene is transcribed at a higher level than the previously identified VvPPO1 in browning, physiologically disordered berry skins at the maturation stage. In this study, we expressed VvPPO2 in Escherichia coli and, using the purified preparation, revealed unique physicochemical characteristics of the enzyme. Our study opens up a way to not only understand the berry skin browning process but also to elucidate the enzymatic maturation process of grape PPOs.

Seasonal abscisic acid signal and a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, DkbZIP5, regulate proanthocyanidin biosynthesis in persimmon fruit

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are secondary metabolites that contribute to plant protection and crop quality. Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) has a unique characteristic of accumulating large amounts of PAs, particularly in its fruit. Normal astringent-type and mutant nonastringent-type fruits show different PA accumulation patterns depending on the seasonal expression patterns of DkMyb4, which is a Myb transcription factor (TF) regulating many PA pathway genes in persimmon. In this study, attempts were made to identify the factors involved in DkMyb4 expression and the resultant PA accumulation in persimmon fruit. Treatment with abscisic acid (ABA) and an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor resulted in differential changes in the expression patterns of DkMyb4 and PA biosynthesis in astringent-type and nonastringent-type fruits depending on the development stage. To obtain an ABA-signaling TF, we isolated a full-length basic leucine zipper (bZIP) TF, DkbZIP5, which is highly expressed in persimmon fruit. We also showed that ectopic DkbZIP5 overexpression in persimmon calluses induced the up-regulation of DkMyb4 and the resultant PA biosynthesis. In addition, a detailed molecular characterization using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay and transient reporter assay indicated that DkbZIP5 recognized ABA-responsive elements in the promoter region of DkMyb4 and acted as a direct regulator of DkMyb4 in an ABA-dependent manner. These results suggest that ABA signals may be involved in PA biosynthesis in persimmon fruit via DkMyb4 activation by DkbZIP5.