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Carotenogenic gene expression and ultrastructural changes during development in marigold
Alma A Del Villar-Martínez1, Pedro A García-Saucedo, Alfonso Carabez-Trejo
1Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, Unidad Irapuato, Km. 9.6 Libramiento Norte, Carretera Irapuato-León. Apdo. Postal 629, Irapuato, Gto. 36500, México.
Journal of Plant Physiology
|September 22, 2005
Summary
Marigold flowers accumulate carotenoids, like lutein, influencing pigmentation. Gene expression analysis reveals key carotenoid pathway genes are active during marigold flower development.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- Marigold (Tagetes erecta) flowers are rich in carotenoids, making them a valuable model for studying pigmentation.
- Lutein is a primary carotenoid responsible for the observed pigmentation levels in marigold flowers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of key genes involved in the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway during marigold flower development.
- To correlate gene expression with ultrastructural changes in plastids and pigment accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and sequencing of cDNA clones for carotenoid biosynthetic genes (phytoene synthase, phytoene desaturase, lycopene beta-cyclase, lycopene epsilon-cyclase).
- Northern blot analysis to examine gene transcript expression in different marigold varieties.
- Ultrastructural analysis of plastid differentiation and pigment deposition in lipidic vesicles.
Main Results:
- cDNA sequences for key carotenoid genes were obtained, showing high homology to existing sequences.
- Northern blot analysis indicated that most carotenoid pathway gene transcripts are expressed during marigold flower development.
- Ultrastructural studies revealed pigment accumulation within lipidic vesicles during flower morphogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Gene expression of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway is developmentally regulated during marigold flower development.
- Carotenoid accumulation is linked to specific ultrastructural changes, particularly within lipidic vesicles.
- Marigold serves as a suitable model for understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of flower pigmentation.