Gert Forkmann

Enzymatic reduction of (+)-dihydroflavonols to flavan-3,4-cis-diols with flower extracts from Matthiola incana and its role in anthocyanin biosynthesis

A cell-free extract from flowers of Matthiola incana catalyzes a NADPH-dependent stereospecific reduction of (+)-dihydrokaempferol to 3,4-cis-leucopelargonidin (5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-cis-diol). The pH-optimum of this reaction is around 6. The rate of reaction with NADH was about 50% of that found with NADPH. (+)-Dihydroquercetin and (+)-dihydromyricetin were also reduced by the enzyme preparation to the corresponding flavan-3,4-cis-diols. Correlation between the genotype of M. incana and the presence of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase is strong evidence that this enzyme is involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Genetic control of chalcone synthase activity in flowers of Antirrhinum majus

Abstract Chalcone synthase activity was demonstrated in flower extracts of defined genotypes of Antirrhinum majus . Independent of the genetic state of the g

Genetic control of chalcone-flavanone isomerase activity in Callistephus chinensis.

A mutant blocked in anthocyanin synthesis leads to an accumulation of 4,2′,4′,6′-tetrahydroxy-chalcone-2′-glucoside (isosalipurposide) in blossoms of Callistephus chinesis (L.) Nees, whereas in geno-types with the wild-type allele, higher oxidized flavonoids and anthocyanins are synthesized. Measurements of chalcone-flavanone isomerase activity of 18 lines of Callistephus chinensis showed a clear correlation between accumulation of chalcone in the recessive genotypes (ch ch) and deficiency of this enzyme activity. Both the chemogenetic and the enzymologic evidence lead to the following conclusions: 1. The first product of the synthesis of the flavonoid skeleton should be tetrahydroxychalcone.-2. The chalcone-flavanone isomerase catalyzes the formation of flavanone from chalcone in a stereospecific way and there-with furnishes the substrate for the further reactions in the flavonoid biosynthesis.

Leucoanthocyanidins as intermediates in anthocyanidin biosynthesis in flowers of Matthiola incana R. Br.

Abstract(+)Leucopelargonidin [(2R,3S,4R)-3,4,5,7,4′-pentahydroxyflavan] and (+)leucocyanidin [(2R,3S,4R)-3,4,5,7,3′,4′-hexahydroxyflavan] were synthesized from (+)dihydrokaempferol and (+)dihydroquercetin, respectively, by sodium-borohydride reduction. The chemical and optical purity of these compounds was established by ultraviolet, proton-nuclear-magnetic-resonance, and optical-rotatory-dispersion spectroscopy. Supplementation experiments with these leucoanthocyanidins were carried out with genetically defined acyanic flowers of Matthiola incana. Feeding of leucopelargonidin and leucocyanidin to line 17 (blocked between dihydroflavonols and anthocyanins) and line 18 (blocked in the chalcone-synthase gene) led to formation of the corresponding anthocyanidin 3-O-glucosides, whereas supplementation of line 19 (blocked in a locus other than line 17 between dihydroflavonols and anthocyanins) did not result in anthocyanin synthesis. The conversion of leucopelargonidin into pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside was further confirmed by incorporation of [4-3H]leucopelargonidin into pelargonidin derivatives. The results are strong indications for the role of leucoanthocyanidins (flavan-3,4-diols) as intermediates in anthocyanin biosynthesis.

Chalcone synthesis and hydroxylation of flavonoids in 3′-position with enzyme preparations from flowers of Dianthus caryophyllus L. (carnation)

Chalcone synthase activity was demonstrated in enzyme preparations from flowers of defined genotypes of Dianthus caryophyllus L. (carnation). In the absence of chalcone isomerase activity, which could be completely excluded by genetic methods, the first product formed from malonyl-CoA and 4-coumaroyl-CoA proved to be naringenin chalcone, followed by formation of naringenin as a result of chemical cyclization. In the presence of chalcone isomerase activity, however, naringenin was the only product of the synthase reaction. In vitro, both 4-coumaryl-CoA and caffeoyl-CoA were found to be used as substrates for the condensation reaction with respective pH optima of 8.0 and 7.0. The results of chemogenetic and enzymatic studies, however, showed that in vivo only 4-coumaroyl-CoA serves as substrate for the formation of the flavonoid skeleton. In confirmation of these results, an NADPH-dependent microsomal 3′-hydroxylase activity could be demonstrated, catalyzing hydroxylation of naringenin and dihydrokaempferol in 3′-position. Furthermore, a strict correlation was found between 3′-hydroxylase activity and the gene r which is known to control the formation of 3′, 4′-hydroxylated flavonoid compounds.

Genetic control of hydroxycinnamoyl-coenzyme a: Anthocyanidin 3-glycoside-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase from petals of Matthiola incana

Abstract Anthocyanidin 3-glucosides and 3-sambubiosides acylated with 4-coumarate or caffeate were identified in flower extracts of lines of Matthiola incana with wild-type alleles of the gene u. An enzyme activity was demonstrated catalysing the acylation of 3-glucosides and 3-sambubiosides with 4-coumarate or caffeate using the respective CoA esters as acyl donors. Anthocyanins glycosylated in both the 3- and 5-positions were not acylated. The enzyme exhibited an pH optimum at 6.5 and was inhibited by divalent ions, EDTA, diethylpyrocarbonate and p -chloromercuribenzoate. Accumulation of acylated 3-glycosides during bud development is correlated with acyltransferase activity. In confirmation of the chemogenetic work, acyltransferase activity was found only in enzyme extracts from flowers of lines with the wild-type allele u + .

Genetic control of chalcone isomerase activity in anthers of Petunia hybrida.

The gene Po in pollen of Petunia hybrida Vilm. controls a discrete step in flavonoid biosynthesis. In recessive genotypes, naringenin-chalcone (4, 2′,4′,6′-tetrahydroxychalcone) is accumulated, whereas, under the influence of the wild-type allele flavonols and anthocyanins are formed. Enzymic investigations on anthers of four genetically defined lines with different pollen colouration revealed a clear correlation between accumulation of naringenin-chalcone and deficiency of chalcone isomerase (EC 5.5.1.6). The results allow the conclusion that chalcone is the first product of the flavanone synthase reaction in anthers of Petunia hybrida and that chalcone isomerase is essential for the formation of flavonols and anthocyanins. These results were similar to those previously obtained with Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees.

Precursors and genetic control of anthocyanin synthesis in Matthiola incana R. Br.

After application of dihydroflavonols, naringenin, or suitable substituted chalcones, anthocyanins were synthesized in three genetically defined acyanic lines of Matthiola incana, indicating that the corresponding genetic block concerns the synthesis of the chalcone-flavanone intermediate. Independent of the precursors used, only cyanidin derivatives were produced. This supports the hypothesis that the oxygenation pattern of the B ring in anthocyanin formation is determined at a stage of a C15 intermediate. In addition to the gene responsible for the oxygenation of the 3′ position, the genes responsible for the glycosylation in the 3 and 5 positions of the anthocyanin molecule, and those responsible for the acylation with various hydroxycinnamic acids can still exert their influence. Two further genetically defined lines containing flavonol glycosides were not able to synthesize anthocyanins with any of the precursors tested. Their genetic blocks are assumed to be localized after dihydroflavonol synthesis but before anthocyanin formation.

Selection and characterisation of flavanone 3-hydroxylase mutants ofDahlia, Streptocarpus, Verbena andZinnia

Precursor experiments and chromatographic studies indicate that the hydroxylation of flavanones in the 3-position to dihydroflavonols is blocked in special white-flowering mutants ofDahlia, Streptocarpus, Verbena andZinnia. The result of our investigations was confirmed in as much as the activity of the enzyme flavanone 3-hydroxylase, which catalyses the conversion of flavanones to dihydroflavonols, could readily be detected in flower extracts of cyanic strains of the four plant species. It was found to be, however, completely absent in flower extracts of the corresponding acyanic mutants. Thus, the interruption of the anthocyanin pathway in these mutants is clearly caused by a lack of this enzyme activity. Similar to the enzymes from other sources, the 3-hydroxylases ofDahlia, Streptocarpus, Verbena andZinnia are soluble enzymes; they belong to the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases and the reaction is inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, KCN and diethyldithiocarbamate.

Genetic control of UDP-glucose: anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase from flowers of Matthiola incana R.Br.

In flower extracts of defined genotypes of Matthiola incana, an enzyme was demonstrated which catalyzes the transfer of the glucosyl moiety of uridine 5′-diphosphoglucose (UDPGlc) to the 5-hydroxyl group of pelargonidin and cyanidin 3-glycosides and acylated derivatives. The best substrate for 5-glucosylation is the 3-xylosylglucoside acylated with p-coumarate, followed by the 3-xylosylglucoside and by the acylated (p-coumarate) 3-glucoside. The 3-glucoside itself is a very poor substrate. Besides UDPGlc, thymine 5′-diphosphoglucose is a suitable glucosyl-donor, but with a reduced reaction rate (42%). The anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase exhibits a pH optimum at 7.5 and is generally inhibited by divalent ions and by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and p-chloromercuribenzoate. Investigations on different genotypes showed that the 5-O-glucosyltransferase activity is clearly controlled by the gene l. In confirmation of earlier chemogenetic work, enzyme activity is only present in lines with the wild-type allele l+. The anthocyanin 5-O-glucosyltransferase activity is strictly correlated with the formation of 5-glucosylated anthocyanins during bud development.