FLAVONOIDS ASSOCIATED WITH SPECIFIC GENE ACTION IN MAIZE ALEURONE, AND THE ROLE OF LIGHT IN SUBSTITUTING FOR THE ACTION OF A GENE

A number of genes are known to be involved in the production of anthocyanin in maize aleurone. Thin layer chromatography has been used to detect specific flavonoids associated with the recessive forms of these genes. The results obtained so far indicate that the genes C1, C2, R and Pr all act before the formation of flavonol in the biosynthetic pathway, that A1 acts between flavanonol and 'flavenol' and that A2 acts between flavenol and anthocyanidin. Light substitutes for the action of the C1 gene in certain conditions and can be used to 'force' the system, causing a buildup of intermediate and side products beyond the C1 controlled step. The C1 gene probably controls a step between the C9 stage and flavanone.