Proof of anthocyanins in the carnivorous plant genus Nepenthes. Issue 9 (4th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dávila‐Lara, Alberto; Reichelt, Michael; Wang, Ding; Vogel, Heiko; Mithöfer, Axel
• Is Part Of: FEBS open bio. Volume 11:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 2576
• Page End: 2585
• Publication Date: 2021-08-04
• Subjects: anthocyanins -- betalain -- Caryophyllales -- Nepenthes -- plant carnivory; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Periodicals; Biological Science Disciplines -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Cell Biology -- Periodicals; Cytology; Life sciences; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 572.805
• DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13255
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-5463

Abstract

Abstract : Yellow to red colored betalains are a chemotaxonomic feature of Caryophyllales, while in most other plant taxa, anthocyanins are responsible for these colors. The carnivorous plant family Nepenthaceae belongs to Caryophyllales; here, red‐pigmented tissues seem to attract insect prey. Strikingly, the chemical nature of red color in Nepenthes has never been elucidated. Although belonging to Caryophyllales, in Nepenthes, some molecular evidence supports the presence of anthocyanins rather than betalains. However, there was previously no direct chemical proof of this. Using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry, we identified cyanidin glycosides in Nepenthes species and tissues. Further, we reveal the existence of a complete set of constitutively expressed anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in Nepenthes . Thus, here we finally conclude the long‐term open question regarding red pigmentation in Nepenthaceae. Abstract : Red colors are widely distributed in tissues of carnivorous Nepenthes plants. However, whether these colors are due to the presence of anthocyanins or betalains remained unclear. Here, we employed ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry and identified different cyanidin glycosides in Nepenthes species and tissues. In addition, the existence of a complete set of constitutively expressed anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in Nepenthes is shown.