Isolation and characterization of a cDNA for 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL) from carnation

Abstract

4-coumarate:CoA Ligase (4CL), one of the enzyme involved in phenylpropanoid pathway plays important roles in supply the substrate to both anthocyanin (flavonoid) and lignin synthesis.We isolated three full-length 4CL cDNA ( Dc4CL1, Dc4CL2, Dc4CL3 ) from the petal and he root of carnation ( Dianthus caryopthyllus ). The deduced amino acid sequence showed a similarity of 77.6% between Dc4CL2 and Dc4CL3, while Dc4CL1 was less similar to Dc4CL2 and Dc4CL3, 37.1% and 36.8%, respectively. Northern analysis revealed that Dc4CL1 transcripts were observed only in petals, and Dc4CL2 and Dc4CL3 transcripts were in roots and stems. These results suggested that carnation has at least three genes for 4CL, and each genes differentially express in different tissues and organs to supply the substrate, 4-coumaruyl-CoA, for anthocyanin and lignin synthesis.