Molecular genetic study on the anthocyanin chemotypes of Perilla frutescens var. crispa.

The chemotypes found in various plant species are the good subjects for the studies to understand the regulatory mechanism in secondary metabolism. The biochemistry and molecular biology of flavonoid biosynthesis was studied using chemotypes of Perilla frutescens var. crispa differing anthocyanin accumulation. The expression of the most of structural genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis was coordinately regulated in chemotype-specific manner and by light. However, the genes for shared enzymes between anthocyanin and flavone pathway were expressed both chemotypes. Biochemical characteristics of enzymes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were investigated in this plant. Furthermore, the candidates of regulatory factors, members of MYB-bHLH-WD complex, of anthocyanin production were characterized in this plant.