Abstract
A pigmentation of aerial parts of Perilla frutescens var. crispa has been good subject in genetics. So far, it has been found that A, B and K loci regulate anthocyanin production in leaf and stem. Recently, it has been shown that a ternary complex of MYB, bHLH and WD40 transcription factors (MBW complex) regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in various plant species. We have isolated cDNAs encoding transcription factors, two MYB proteins (MYB-P1, MYB-C05), three bHLH factors (MYC-F3G1, MYC-RS and MYC-RP/GP) and a WD40 factor (PFWD). Over-expression of single factor in transgenic plants was not effective for anthocyanin induction. Therefore, protein-protein interaction was tested among these factors by two hybrid system in yeast. Strong interaction was observed between MYC-F3G1 and MYB-CO5 or PFWD. These combinations were suggested to regulate the anthocyanin production in P. frutescens.
