Abstract
The margined flower colors have been developed in many species of ornamental plants. Pigmentation in carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is caused by anthocyanins and flavonoids, which are synthesized by the enzymes involved in anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway.In the petals of margined flower, a lot of organic acids were accumulated in the white lip area compared to the red tube area, where anthocyanins were accumulated. Expression of CHS (chalcone synthase) gene was suppressed in white lip area, while the high expression was observed in the red tube area. Expression of the genes for enzymes below the DFR (dihydroflavonol 4-reductase) step occurred from the beginning of developmental stage of petals of the dark red tube and red lip. We succeeded to isolate two cDNAs for GST (glutathione S-transferase), and showed that one of them specifically expressed in flower concomitant with the expression of the other genes for enzymes below the DFR step.
