Characterization and expression of chalcone synthase in different genotypes of Matthiola incana R.Br. during flower development.

The expression of the key enzyme of flavonoid biosynthesis, chalcone synthase (CHS), has been followed in different genotypes of Matthiola incana R.Br. (Brassicaceae) which are genetically defined with respect to anthocyanin production. Enzyme activity was determined by a radioactive assay in crude flower extracts. The amount of enzyme protein in the developing flower was determined by use of SDS-PAGE, protein blotting, reaction with an antiserum against CHS of parsley (Petroselinum hortense), and PAP staining. The molecular weight of about 41 500 of the CHS subunits corresponds with that obtained from other higher plants. Steps of flower development were subdivided into stages-1,0, I-IV. During flower development of a Matthiola line with coloured petals (line 07) a defined pattern of CHS enzyme production can be observed: At the stage of bud opening (stage 0-I) a dramatic increase of the amount of CHS enzyme prodein in the petals occurs. This is quite different from results obtained with petals of the white flowering mutant line 18 bearing a genetic defect in the gene f coding for CHS. Here a reduced and nearly constant level of CHS enzyme protein can be observed during flower development. This line is most attractive for our studies of the regulation of enzyme synthesis because under stress conditions a slight colouring of the flower petals occurs, which is uniformly distributed and line-specific. This suggests that we are dealing with a CHS mutant producing a rather inactive enzyme protein at a low level. This protein may regain enzyme activity under certain environmental conditions. Preliminary investigations suggest a rather high level of CHS mRNA transcription at the bud opening stage of the flowers. Other white flowering mutant lines, line 17 (genotype ee) and line 19 (gg) with a late block in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, exhibit a concomitant reduction of CHS enzyme activity and protein content in comparison to anthocyanin-producing lines with the f(+)f(+)e(+)e(+)g(+)g(+)-genotype.