Effect of phosphate deficiency on the content and biosynthesis of anthocyanins and the expression of related genes in suspension-cultured grape (Vitis sp.) cells

The effect of phosphate (Pi) starvation on anthocyanin biosynthesis was examined in suspension-cultured grape cells derived from Bailey Alicante A grapes. Cyanindin-3-O-glucoside, peonidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-(6-O״-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside and peonidin-3-O-(6-O״-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside were detected in cells in both the complete (+Pi)- and Pi-deficient Murashige–Skoog (−Pi) medium but accumulation was much more substantial cells in −Pi cultures. Highest incorporation of [ring-14C]phenylalanine into anthocyanins was found at days 3–14 in the cells in −Pi medium. Time-course expression profiles of anthocyanin biosynthetic enzyme genes and a regulatory gene were examined after cells were transferred to the +Pi and −Pi medium. The transcript levels of UFGT and VvmybA1 in −Pi cells were higher than in +Pi cells 24 h after transfer coinciding with the start of anthocyanin accumulation in −Pi cells.

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► Suspension cultured grape cells accumulated four cyanidin and peonidin derivatives.
► Accumulation of anthocyanins was induced by phosphate deficiency.
► Larger amounts of [14C]-l-phenylalanine were incorporated into anthocyanins in phosphate-starved cells.
► Enhanced expression of anthocyanin genes was induced by Pi-deficiency.