Flower colour modification of roses by expression of a torenian anthocyanin methyltransferase gene.

Abstract

S-adenosylmethionin:Anthocyanin methyltransferase (AMT) catalyzes methylation of anthocyanins and contributes to colour variation of anthocyanins and flower colour. Torenia AMT (ThAMT) gene was isolated with using a petunia AMT gene (WO2003-062428). ThAMT was revealed to encode anthocyanin 3', 5'-methyltransferase activity by its expression in E.coli. Rose and many other flowers do not produce substantial amount of methylated anthocyanins. Expression of genes of ThATM and a flavonoid 3', 5'-hydroxylase in roses resulted in malvidin, petunidin and peonidin production and modified flower colour. AMT gene is a useful molecular tool to engineer and diversify flower colour.