Role of anthocyanidin reductase, encoded by BANYULS in plant flavonoid biosynthesis

Science. 2003 Jan 17;299(5605):396-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1078540.

Abstract

Condensed tannins (CTs) are flavonoid oligomers, many of which have beneficial effects on animal and human health. The flavanol (-)-epicatechin is a component of many CTs and contributes to flavor and astringency in tea and wine. We show that the BANYULS (BAN) genes from Arabidopsis thaliana and Medicago truncatula encode anthocyanidin reductase, which converts anthocyanidins to their corresponding 2,3-cis-flavan-3-ols. Ectopic expression of BAN in tobacco flower petals and Arabidopsis leaves results in loss of anthocyanins and accumulation of CTs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Anthocyanins / biosynthesis*
  • Anthocyanins / chemistry
  • Anthocyanins / metabolism*
  • Arabidopsis / enzymology*
  • Arabidopsis / genetics
  • Arabidopsis Proteins*
  • Catechin / metabolism
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Genes, Plant
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Medicago / enzymology*
  • Medicago / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NAD / metabolism
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / genetics
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • NADP / metabolism
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Oxygenases / metabolism
  • Plants, Genetically Modified
  • Proanthocyanidins*
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Seeds / metabolism
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Tannins / biosynthesis*
  • Tannins / chemistry

Substances

  • Anthocyanins
  • Arabidopsis Proteins
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tannins
  • NAD
  • proanthocyanidin
  • NADP
  • Catechin
  • Oxygenases
  • anthocyanidin synthase
  • BANYULS protein, Arabidopsis
  • NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases