Functional identification of a flavone synthase and a flavonol synthase genes affecting flower color formation in Chrysanthemum morifolium

Flavonoids confer a wide color range to plants, thus influencing the flower quality and commercial value of various ornamental plants . Flavones and flavonols are colorless pigments that are distinct from the colored anthocyanins . Flavones and flavonols are transformed from flavanones and dihydrokaempferol, which are catalyzed by flavone synthase (FNS) and flavonol synthase (FLS), respectively, and play important roles in regulating plant growth and development , and resistance to various stresses, in addition to coloration. However, few studies have been conducted on CmFNS and CmFLS genes in chrysanthemums. In this study, we isolated and identified CmFNS and CmFLS from Chrysanthemum morifolium . CmFNS and CmFLS were constitutively expressed at different levels in various C. morifolium organs, and in vitro catalytic activity of CmFNS and CmFLS was verified. CmFNS - and CmFLS -overexpressing tobacco plants exhibited phenotypes that accumulated more flavones and flavonols, respectively, but less anthocyanins. Moreover, the transcripts of CmFNS were negatively correlated with flower color, whereas CmFLS presented an opposite trend compared to CmFNS in five flower color cultivars with different anthocyanin levels. These findings suggest that CmFNS and CmFLS act as important regulators of flavone and flavonol biosynthesis , respectively, and dicate flower coloration in chrysanthemums. • CmFNS and CmFLS were isolated and identified in C . morifolium and their catalytic activity were verified in vitro . • Tobacco plants overexpressing CmFNS and CmFLS accumulated more flavones and flavonols, respectively, but less anthocyanins. • CmFNS and CmFLS exhibited similar expression patterns during the flowering process in Chrysanthemum. . • The transcripts of CmFNS were negatively correlated with flower color, whereas CmFLS presented an opposite trend.