Abstract
Over-expression of the PAP1 gene, which encodes an MYB-like transcription factor in Arabidopsis thaliana, resulted in up-regulation of a set of genes that were assigned or putatively assigned for flavonoid biosynthesis and accumulation of cyanidin derivatives in leaves and roots (Tohge et al., Plant J. 42:218-235. 2005). In this study, we over-expressed the PAP1 gene under 35S CaMV promoter in Arabidopsis suspension-cultured cells and examined transcriptome and anthocyanin analyses of transgenic cell lines. Analysis with liquid chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry indicated that PAP1 over-expressing transgenic cell lines produced seven species of cyanin-derived anthocyanins, while no anthocyanins were detected in wild type cell lines. Mass fragmentation pattern analysis of these anthocyanin derivatives indicated that the major species among them had three glycosides and two acyl-moieties to the cyanin aglycone. The transcriptome analysis of the cells using DNA microarray chips indicated induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes.
