Expression of RsMYB1 in Petunia enhances anthocyanin production in vegetative and floral tissues

Abstract Anthocyanin production enhanced by heterologous expression of R2R3 MYB transcription factors has been studied. However, little is known about validated information on the ability of RsMYB (an MYB gene from radish) to enhance anthocyanin production in a heterologous system. In the present study, heterologous expression of RsMYB1 in Petunia hybrida ‘Mirage Rose’ enhanced anthocyanin production in vegetative and floral tissues such as leaves, stems, roots, and petals by transcriptional activation of anthocyanin biosynthetic genes and endogenous antocyanin regulatory genes. Line PM6 expressed higher transcript levels of RsMYB1 than line PM2 and regulated transcript levels of the investigated genes largely than line PM2, whereas those regulated in wild type (WT) plants were the lowest. In addition, transcript levels of the genes detected using qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were found to be higher in petals, followed by leaves, stems and roots. Taken together, our results suggest that RsMYB1 enhances anthocyanin production in vegetative and floral tissues of this cultivar, thus, we expect that heterologous expression of RsMYB1 would help to modify flower color of other ornamental plants as well.