Characterization and functional validation of β-carotene hydroxylase AcBCH genes in Actinidia chinensis. Issue 1 (14th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xia, Hui; Zhou, Yuanjie; Lin, Zhiyi; Guo, Yuqi; Liu, Xinling; Wang, Tong; Wang, Jin; Deng, Honghong; Lin, Lijin; Deng, Qunxian; Lv, Xiulan; Xu, Kunfu; Liang, Dong
• Is Part Of: Horticulture research. Volume 9:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03-14
• Subjects: Horticulture -- Research -- Periodicals; 635.072
• DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhac063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-7276

Abstract

Abstract: Carotenoids are the pigment substances of yellow-fleshed kiwifruit, and among them β-cryptoxanthin has only been detected in the brighter yellow-fleshed variety 'Jinshi 1'. β-Carotene hydroxylase (BCH) catalyzes the formation of β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin, but its molecular characteristics and functions have not been fully explained. Here we isolated two β-carotene hydroxylase genes, AcBCH1 and AcBCH2 from kiwifruit ( Actinidia chinensis ), and their relative expression levels exhibited a close correlation with the content of β-cryptoxanthin. AcBCH1 catalyzed the formation of β-cryptoxanthin when transformed into β-carotene-accumulating yeast cells. Moreover, silenced expression of AcBCH1 in kiwifruit caused decreases in the contents of zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-cryptoxanthin, and an increase in β-carotene content. The content of β-carotene decreased significantly after the AcBCH1 / 2 genes were overexpressed in tomato. The content of zeaxanthin increased and β-carotene decreased in transgenic kiwifruit seedlings. The results will enrich our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in kiwifruit.