Development Of Verbena Transformation System And Its Genetic Transformation With Flavonoid Biosynthetic Genes

Abstract

Verbena(Verbena hybrida), a Verbenaceae plant, is a popular garden plant that is suitable for ground coverage. Genetic transformation of verbena has been desired to achieve flower color modification, herbicide resistance, monitoring and remediation of polluted soil. In this study, we have established Agrobacterium mediated transformation for verbena cultivar Temari and Tapien.
Expression of butterfly pea flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase(F3'5'H) gene successfully changed the flower color of Temari Pink from pink to violet. The amount of delphinidin type anthocyanins increased in the transgenic plants. We have also cloned some flavonoid biosynthetic genes such as F3'5'H, flavonoid 3'-hydroxylase, dihydroflavonol 4-reductase. Their sequences showed reasonable homology to the counterparts of other plant species. Their biochemically and molecular characterization are in progress.