Abstract
4-Coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL) gene occurs in the form of gene family. Phylogenetic analysis of the gene family distinguishes two classes. Enzymes in the class I are supposed to be related to the synthesis of lignin and those in the class II to the synthesis of flavonoid. However, their substrate specificities and roles under physiological conditions have not been clarified. In Arabidopsis and raspberry, 4CL genes were cloned and Ri4CL3 is likely to participate in flavor and color in the fruit based on its phylogenetic classification and expression patterns. In petunia, many genes related to flower color have been identified, but 4CL genes have not yet. Now I cloned a 4CL cDNA expressing in petunia petal. Transgenic petunia plants suppressing the gene demonstrated decrease of anthocyanin accumulation in petal. Expression experiment using the 4CL promoter revealed that the 4CL gene was specifically expressed in the petal.
