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Samkumar A, Karppinen K, Dhakal B, Martinussen I, Jaakola L. Insights into sugar metabolism during bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruit development. Physiol Plant 2022; 174:e13657. [PMID: 35243654 PMCID: PMC9313557 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bilberry fruit is regarded as one of the best natural sources of anthocyanins and is widely explored for its health-beneficial compounds. Besides anthocyanins, one of the major attributes that determine the berry quality is the accumulation of sugars that provide sweetness and flavor to ripening fruit. In this study, we have identified 25 sugar metabolism-related genes in bilberry, including invertases (INVs), hexokinases (HKs), fructokinases (FKs), sucrose synthases (SSs), sucrose phosphate synthases (SPSs), and sucrose phosphate phosphatases (SPPs). The results indicate that isoforms of the identified genes are expressed differentially during berry development, suggesting specialized functions. The highest sugar content was found in ripe berries, with fructose and glucose dominating accompanied by low sucrose amount. The related enzyme activities during berry development and ripening were further analyzed to understand the molecular mechanism of sugar accumulation. The activity of INVs in the cell wall and vacuole increased toward ripe berries. Amylase activity involved in starch metabolism was not detected in unripe berries but was found in ripe berries. Sucrose resynthesizing SS enzyme activity was detected upon early ripening and had the highest activity in ripe berries. Interestingly, our transcriptome data showed that supplemental irradiation with red and blue light triggered upregulation of several sugar metabolism-related genes, including α- and β-amylases. Also, differential expression patterns in responses to red and blue light were found across sucrose, galactose, and sugar-alcohol metabolism. Our enzymological and transcriptional data provide new understanding of the bilberry fruit sugar metabolism having major effect on fruit quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Samkumar
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Katja Karppinen
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Binita Dhakal
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Inger Martinussen
- Division of Food Production and SocietyNorwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | - Laura Jaakola
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
- Division of Food Production and SocietyNorwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
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Liu S, Marsol-Vall A, Laaksonen O, Kortesniemi M, Yang B. Characterization and Quantification of Nonanthocyanin Phenolic Compounds in White and Blue Bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus) Juices and Wines Using UHPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS and UHPLC-DAD. J Agric Food Chem 2020; 68:7734-7744. [PMID: 32609509 PMCID: PMC7497633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c02842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The nonanthocyanin phenolic compounds in juice and wine produced from fruits of white bilberry, a nonpigmented mutant of Vaccinium myrtillus, and blue bilberry (pigmented variety) were analyzed using liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (LC-DAD) and LC-DAD-electrospray ionization-quadrapole/time of flight hybrid mass spectrometry (ESI-QTOF-MS). On the basis of elution order, UV-vis spectra, accurate mass data, and fragmentation pattern and standards, 42 compounds including 22 phenolic acids, 15 flavonols, and 5 flavan-3-ols, were identified in juices and wines prepared from the two bilberry varieties. The levels of most individual nonanthocyanin phenolic compounds in white bilberry products were significantly lower than those in pigmented ones. In bilberry juices, phenolic acids were the most predominant, accounting for approximately 80% of total phenolic content, with p-coumaroyl monotropeins and caffeic acid hexoside being the major phenolic acids. After fermentation, the total contents of phenolic acids, flavonols, and nonanthocyanin phenolic compounds significantly increased, while the content of total flavan-3-ols decreased significantly. p-Coumaroyl monotropeins still dominated in the wine products, while caffeic acid content showed dramatic elevation with the significant drop of caffeic acid hexoside.
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Suvanto J, Karppinen K, Riihinen K, Jaakola L, Salminen JP. Changes in the Proanthocyanidin Composition and Related Gene Expression in Bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Tissues. J Agric Food Chem 2020; 68:7378-7386. [PMID: 32543188 PMCID: PMC7467716 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c02158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Berries of genus Vaccinium are rich in flavonoids and proanthocyanidins (PAs). We studied the PA composition and biosynthesis in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) tissues and during fruit development. Soluble PAs, analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS, were most abundant in stem and rhizome with the mean PA polymerization level varying between 4 and 6 in all tissues. Both A- and B-type PAs were present in all tissues. Procyanidin subunits were more common than prodelphinidin subunits in PAs. During fruit ripening, the amount of procyanidin subunits decreased while prodelphinidin subunits and F3'5'H expression increased, indicating a shift in biosynthesis toward the delphinidin branch of the flavonoid pathway. Epicatechin was the most abundant flavan-3-ol in all tissues. Expression of ANR and three isolated LAR genes, analyzed by qRT-PCR, showed connection to accumulation of PAs and flavan-3-ols biosynthesized from different flavonoid branches. Insoluble PAs accumulated during berry development, suggesting that PAs are not recycled after biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jussi Suvanto
- Natural Chemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Katja Karppinen
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kaisu Riihinen
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Laura Jaakola
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), NO-1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Juha-Pekka Salminen
- Natural Chemistry Research Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FI-20014 Turku, Finland
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Benevenuto RF, Seldal T, Hegland SJ, Rodriguez-Saona C, Kawash J, Polashock J. Transcriptional profiling of methyl jasmonate-induced defense responses in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). BMC Plant Biol 2019; 19:70. [PMID: 30755189 PMCID: PMC6373060 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-1650-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is one of the most abundant wild berries in the Northern European ecosystems. This species plays an important ecological role as a food source for many vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores. It is also well-recognized for its bioactive compounds, particularly substances involved in natural defenses against herbivory. These defenses are known to be initiated by leaf damage (e.g. chewing by insects) and mediated by activation of the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway. This pathway can be activated by exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), the volatile derivative of JA, which is often used to stimulate plant defense responses in studies of plant-herbivore interactions at ecological, biochemical, and molecular organismal levels. As a proxy for herbivore damage, wild V. myrtillus plants were treated in the field with MeJA and changes in gene expression were compared to untreated plants. RESULTS The de novo transcriptome assembly consisted of 231,887 unigenes. Nearly 71% of the unigenes were annotated in at least one of the databases interrogated. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), between MeJA-treated and untreated control bilberry plants were identified using DESeq. A total of 3590 DEGs were identified between the treated and control plants, with 2013 DEGs upregulated and 1577 downregulated. The majority of the DEGs identified were associated with primary and secondary metabolism pathways in plants. DEGs associated with growth (e.g. those encoding photosynthesis-related components) and reproduction (e.g. flowering control genes) were frequently down-regulated while those associated with defense (e.g. encoding enzymes involved in biosynthesis of flavonoids, lignin compounds, and deterrent/repellent volatile organic compounds) were up-regulated in the MeJA treated plants. CONCLUSIONS Ecological studies are often limited by controlled conditions to reduce the impact of environmental effects. The results from this study support the hypothesis that bilberry plants, growing in natural conditions, shift resources from growth and reproduction to defenses while in a MeJA-induced state, as when under insect attack. This study highlights the occurrence of this trade-off at the transcriptional level in a realistic field scenario and supports published field observations wherein plant growth is retarded and defenses are upregulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Fonseca Benevenuto
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Sogndal, Norway
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Tarald Seldal
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Sogndal, Norway
| | - Stein Joar Hegland
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Sogndal, Norway
| | - Cesar Rodriguez-Saona
- Rutgers, Department of Entomology, Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research, The State University of New Jersey, Chatsworth, NJ USA
| | - Joseph Kawash
- Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Lab, Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Chatsworth, NJ USA
| | - James Polashock
- Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Lab, Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research, United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Chatsworth, NJ USA
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Zorenc Z, Veberic R, Slatnar A, Koron D, Miosic S, Chen MH, Haselmair-Gosch C, Halbwirth H, Mikulic-Petkovsek M. A wild 'albino' bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) from Slovenia shows three bottlenecks in the anthocyanin pathway and significant differences in the expression of several regulatory genes compared to the common blue berry type. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0190246. [PMID: 29272302 PMCID: PMC5741254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Relative expressions of structural genes and a number of transcription factors of the anthocyanin pathway relevant in Vaccinium species, and related key enzyme activities were compared with the composition and content of metabolites in skins of ripe fruits of wild albino and blue bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) found in Slovenia. Compared to the common blue type, the albino variant had a 151-fold lower total anthocyanin and a 7-fold lower total phenolic content in their berry skin, which correlated with lower gene expression of flavonoid 3-O-glycosyltransferase (FGT; 33-fold), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (FHT; 18-fold), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS; 11-fold), chalcone synthase (CHS, 7.6-fold) and MYBPA1 transcription factor (22-fold). The expression of chalcone isomerase (CHI), dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR), anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) and MYBC2 transcription factor was reduced only by a factor of 1.5-2 in the albino berry skins, while MYBR3 and flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H) were increased to a similar extent. Expression of the SQUAMOSA class transcription factor TDR4, in contrast, was independent of the color type and does therefore not seem to be correlated with anthocyanin formation in this variant. At the level of enzymes, significantly lower FHT and DFR activities, but not of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and CHS/CHI, were observed in the fruit skins of albino bilberries. A strong increase in relative hydroxycinnamic acid derivative concentrations indicates the presence of an additional bottleneck in the general phenylpropanoid pathway at a so far unknown step between PAL and CHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zala Zorenc
- Department of Agronomy, Chair for Fruit, Wine and Vegetable Growing, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Robert Veberic
- Department of Agronomy, Chair for Fruit, Wine and Vegetable Growing, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Slatnar
- Department of Agronomy, Chair for Fruit, Wine and Vegetable Growing, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Darinka Koron
- Department of Fruit Growing, Viticulture and Oenology, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Silvija Miosic
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ming-Hui Chen
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Haselmair-Gosch
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidi Halbwirth
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Biological Engineering, Technische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maja Mikulic-Petkovsek
- Department of Agronomy, Chair for Fruit, Wine and Vegetable Growing, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Karppinen K, Zoratti L, Sarala M, Carvalho E, Hirsimäki J, Mentula H, Martens S, Häggman H, Jaakola L. Carotenoid metabolism during bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruit development under different light conditions is regulated by biosynthesis and degradation. BMC Plant Biol 2016; 16:95. [PMID: 27098458 PMCID: PMC4839083 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-016-0785-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carotenoids are important pigments and precursors for central signaling molecules associated in fruit development and ripening. Carotenoid metabolism has been studied especially in the climacteric tomato fruit but the content of carotenoids and the regulation of their metabolism have been shown to be highly variable between fruit species. Non-climacteric berries of the genus Vaccinium are among the best natural sources of health-beneficial flavonoids but not studied previously for carotenoid biosynthesis. RESULTS In this study, carotenoid biosynthetic genes, PSY, PDS, ZDS, CRTISO, LCYB, LCYE, BCH and CYP450-BCH, as well as a carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase CCD1 were identified from bilberry (V. myrtillus L.) fruit and their expression was studied along with carotenoid composition during fruit development under different photoperiod and light quality conditions. Bilberry was found to be a good source of carotenoids among fruits and berries. The most abundant carotenoids throughout the berry development were lutein and β-carotene, which were accompanied by lower amounts of 9Z-β-carotene, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin. The expression patterns of the biosynthetic genes in ripening fruits indicated a metabolic flux towards β-branch of the carotenoid pathway. However, the carotenoid levels decreased in both the β-branch and ε,β-branch towards bilberry fruit ripening along with increased VmCCD1 expression, similarly to VmNCED1, indicating enzymatic carotenoid cleavage and degradation. Intense white light conditions increased the expression of the carotenoid biosynthetic genes but also the expression of the cleavage genes VmCCD1 and VmNCED1, especially in unripe fruits. Instead, mature bilberry fruits responded specifically to red/far-red light wavelengths by inducing the expression of both the carotenoid biosynthetic and the cleavage genes indicating tissue and developmental stage specific regulation of apocarotenoid formation by light quality. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of carotenoid biosynthesis in Vaccinium berries. Our results indicate that both transcriptional regulation of the key biosynthetic genes and the enzymatic degradation of the produced carotenoids to apocarotenoids have significant roles in the determination of the carotenoid content and have overall effect on the metabolism during the bilberry fruit ripening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Karppinen
- />Genetics and Physiology Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
- />Climate laboratory Holt, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Laura Zoratti
- />Genetics and Physiology Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Marian Sarala
- />Genetics and Physiology Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Elisabete Carvalho
- />Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Center, via E. Mach 1, 38010, San Michele all’Adige, TN Italy
| | - Jenni Hirsimäki
- />Genetics and Physiology Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Helmi Mentula
- />Genetics and Physiology Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Stefan Martens
- />Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Center, via E. Mach 1, 38010, San Michele all’Adige, TN Italy
| | - Hely Häggman
- />Genetics and Physiology Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Laura Jaakola
- />Climate laboratory Holt, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
- />NIBIO, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, P.O. Box 115, NO-1431 Ås, Norway
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Karppinen K, Hirvelä E, Nevala T, Sipari N, Suokas M, Jaakola L. Changes in the abscisic acid levels and related gene expression during fruit development and ripening in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.). Phytochemistry 2013; 95:127-34. [PMID: 23850079 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2013.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Revised: 06/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a natural plant hormone playing an important role in many physiological processes including fruit ripening and is also recently found to be potential for biomedical applications. This study was aimed to measure ABA levels and its biosynthesis in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), which is one of the best sources of anthocyanins. Five ABA biosynthetic genes were isolated from bilberry and their expression profiles were studied in bilberry tissues, particularly during berry development. The level of ABA highly increased at the onset of bilberry fruit ripening, at the stage when expression of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, chalcone synthase (VmCHS) and anthocyanidin synthase (VmANS), also increased. In fully ripe berries and leaves, ABA levels were lower but none was detected in bilberry stem or rhizome. The expression of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (VmNCED1) and putative neoxanthin synthase (VmNSY) was high in berry tissues and their expression increased markedly at the onset of berry ripening along with the accumulation of ABA. In contrast, the expression of zeaxanthin epoxidase (VmZEP), short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (VmSDR/ABA2) and aldehyde oxidase (VmAO) were most highly associated with leaf tissues with no obvious relation to ABA content during berry development. The obtained results indicate that the ABA biosynthesis may play an important role in the regulation of ripening of non-climacteric bilberry fruits through transcriptional regulation of key ABA biosynthetic genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Karppinen
- Department of Biology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FIN-90014 Oulu, Finland.
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Oakenfull RJ, Baxter R, Knight MR. A C-repeat binding factor transcriptional activator (CBF/DREB1) from European bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) induces freezing tolerance when expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54119. [PMID: 23349799 PMCID: PMC3547970 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Accepted: 12/06/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Freezing stress affects all plants from temperate zones to the poles. Global climate change means such freezing events are becoming less predictable. This in turn reduces the ability of plants to predict the approaching low temperatures and cold acclimate. This has consequences for crop yields and distribution of wild plant species. C-repeat binding factors (CBFs) are transcription factors previously shown to play a vital role in the acclimation process of Arabidopsis thaliana, controlling the expression of hundreds of genes whose products are necessary for freezing tolerance. Work in other plant species cements CBFs as key determinants in the trait of freezing tolerance in higher plants. To test the function of CBFs from highly freezing tolerant plants species we cloned and sequenced CBF transcription factors from three Vaccinium species (Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea) which we collected in the Arctic. We tested the activity of CBF transcription factors from the three Vaccinium species by producing transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing them. Only the Vaccinium myrtillus CBF was able to substantially activate COR (CBF-target) gene expression in the absence of cold. Correspondingly, only the lines expressing the Vaccinium myrtillus CBF were constitutively freezing tolerant. The basis for the differences in potency of the three Vaccinium CBFs was tested by observing cellular localisation and protein levels. All three CBFs were correctly targeted to the nucleus, but Vaccinium uliginosum CBF appeared to be relatively unstable. The reasons for lack of potency for Vaccinium vitis-idaea CBF were not due to stability or targeting, and we speculate that this was due to altered transcription factor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael J. Oakenfull
- Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Baxter
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Marc R. Knight
- Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
- School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Oakenfull RJ, Baxter R, Knight MR. A C-repeat binding factor transcriptional activator (CBF/DREB1) from European bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) induces freezing tolerance when expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. PLoS One 2013. [PMID: 23349799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.005411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Freezing stress affects all plants from temperate zones to the poles. Global climate change means such freezing events are becoming less predictable. This in turn reduces the ability of plants to predict the approaching low temperatures and cold acclimate. This has consequences for crop yields and distribution of wild plant species. C-repeat binding factors (CBFs) are transcription factors previously shown to play a vital role in the acclimation process of Arabidopsis thaliana, controlling the expression of hundreds of genes whose products are necessary for freezing tolerance. Work in other plant species cements CBFs as key determinants in the trait of freezing tolerance in higher plants. To test the function of CBFs from highly freezing tolerant plants species we cloned and sequenced CBF transcription factors from three Vaccinium species (Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea) which we collected in the Arctic. We tested the activity of CBF transcription factors from the three Vaccinium species by producing transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing them. Only the Vaccinium myrtillus CBF was able to substantially activate COR (CBF-target) gene expression in the absence of cold. Correspondingly, only the lines expressing the Vaccinium myrtillus CBF were constitutively freezing tolerant. The basis for the differences in potency of the three Vaccinium CBFs was tested by observing cellular localisation and protein levels. All three CBFs were correctly targeted to the nucleus, but Vaccinium uliginosum CBF appeared to be relatively unstable. The reasons for lack of potency for Vaccinium vitis-idaea CBF were not due to stability or targeting, and we speculate that this was due to altered transcription factor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael J Oakenfull
- Durham Centre for Crop Improvement Technology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
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Jaakola L, Poole M, Jones MO, Kämäräinen-Karppinen T, Koskimäki JJ, Hohtola A, Häggman H, Fraser PD, Manning K, King GJ, Thomson H, Seymour GB. A SQUAMOSA MADS box gene involved in the regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in bilberry fruits. Plant Physiol 2010; 153:1619-29. [PMID: 20566708 PMCID: PMC2923880 DOI: 10.1104/pp.110.158279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2010] [Accepted: 06/18/2010] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Anthocyanins are important health-promoting phytochemicals that are abundant in many fleshy fruits. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is one of the best sources of these compounds. Here, we report on the expression pattern and functional analysis of a SQUAMOSA-class MADS box transcription factor, VmTDR4, associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis in bilberry. Levels of VmTDR4 expression were spatially and temporally linked with color development and anthocyanin-related gene expression. Virus-induced gene silencing was used to suppress VmTDR4 expression in bilberry, resulting in substantial reduction in anthocyanin levels in fully ripe fruits. Chalcone synthase was used as a positive control in the virus-induced gene silencing experiments. Additionally, in sectors of fruit tissue in which the expression of the VmTDR4 gene was silenced, the expression of R2R3 MYB family transcription factors related to the biosynthesis of flavonoids was also altered. We conclude that VmTDR4 plays an important role in the accumulation of anthocyanins during normal ripening in bilberry, probably through direct or indirect control of transcription factors belonging to the R2R3 MYB family.
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Hokkanen J, Mattila S, Jaakola L, Pirttilä AM, Tolonen A. Identification of phenolic compounds from lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and hybrid bilberry (Vaccinium x intermedium Ruthe L.) leaves. J Agric Food Chem 2009; 57:9437-47. [PMID: 19788243 DOI: 10.1021/jf9022542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Phenolic compounds from leaves of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), and the natural hybrid of bilberry and lingonberry (Vaccinium x intermedium Ruthe L., hybrid bilberry) were identified using LC/TOF-MS and LC/MS/MS after extraction from the plant material in methanol in an ultrasonicator. The phenolic profiles in the plants were compared using the LC/TOF-MS responses. This is the first thorough report of phenolic compounds in hybrid bilberry. In total, 51 different phenolic compounds were identified, including flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, flavonols and their glycosides, and various phenolic acid conjugates. Of the identified compounds, 35 were detected in bilberry, 36 in lingonberry, and 46 in the hybrid. To our knowledge, seven compounds were previously unreported in Vaccinium genus and many of the compounds are reported for the first time from bilberry and lingonberry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho Hokkanen
- University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, 90014 Oulu, Finland.
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Jaakola L, Määttä-Riihinen K, Kärenlampi S, Hohtola A. Activation of flavonoid biosynthesis by solar radiation in bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L) leaves. Planta 2004; 218:721-8. [PMID: 14666422 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-003-1161-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2003] [Accepted: 10/20/2003] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The effect of solar radiation on flavonoid biosynthesis was studied in bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaves. Expression of flavonoid pathway genes of bilberry was studied in the upper leaves of bilberry, exposed to direct sunlight, in the shaded leaves growing lower in the same plants and in fruits. Bilberry-specific digoxigenin-dUTP-labeled cDNA fragments of five genes from the general phenylpropanoid pathway coding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and from the flavonoid pathway coding chalcone synthase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, and anthocyanidin synthase were used as probes in gene expression analysis. Anthocyanins, catechins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids from the leaves and fruits were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with a diode array detector. An increase in the expression of the studied flavonoid pathway genes was observed in leaves growing under direct sun exposure. Also, the concentrations of anthocyanins, catechins, flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids were higher in the leaves exposed to direct sunlight. However, the concentration of polymeric procyanidins was lower in sun-exposed leaves, whereas that of prodelphinidins was slightly increased. The results give further support for the protective role of flavonoids and hydroxy cinnamic acids against high solar radiation in plants. Also, the roles of different flavonoid compounds as a defense against stress caused by sun exposure is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jaakola
- Department of Biology/Botany, University of Oulu, POB 3000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.
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Jaakola L, Määttä K, Pirttilä AM, Törrönen R, Kärenlampi S, Hohtola A. Expression of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in relation to anthocyanin, proanthocyanidin, and flavonol levels during bilberry fruit development. Plant Physiol 2002; 130:729-39. [PMID: 12376640 PMCID: PMC166602 DOI: 10.1104/pp.006957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2002] [Revised: 05/20/2002] [Accepted: 06/14/2002] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The production of anthocyanins in fruit tissues is highly controlled at the developmental level. We have studied the expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes during the development of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) fruit in relation to the accumulation of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonols in wild berries and in color mutants of bilberry. The cDNA fragments of five genes from the flavonoid pathway, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, chalcone synthase, flavanone 3-hydroxylase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, and anthocyanidin synthase, were isolated from bilberry using the polymerase chain reaction technique, sequenced, and labeled with a digoxigenin-dUTP label. These homologous probes were used for determining the expression of the flavonoid pathway genes in bilberries. The contents of anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and flavonols in ripening bilberries were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector and were identified using a mass spectrometry interface. Our results demonstrate a correlation between anthocyanin accumulation and expression of the flavonoid pathway genes during the ripening of berries. At the early stages of berry development, procyanidins and quercetin were the major flavonoids, but the levels decreased dramatically during the progress of ripening. During the later stages of ripening, the content of anthocyanins increased strongly and they were the major flavonoids in the ripe berry. The expression of flavonoid pathway genes in the color mutants of bilberry was reduced. A connection between flavonol and anthocyanin synthesis in bilberry was detected in this study and also in previous data collected from flavonol and anthocyanin analyses from other fruits. In accordance with this, models for the connection between flavonol and anthocyanin syntheses in fruit tissues are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jaakola
- Department of Biology, University of Oulu, FIN-90014 Oulu, Finland.
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