Molecular evolution of flavonoid dioxygenases in the family Apiaceae

Six 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenases were cloned from Apiaceae species and characterized by heterologous expression in yeast. The novel sequences encoding flavone synthase I or flavanone 3β-hydroxylase were subjected to evolutionary analysis, and the evolution of the synthase from the hydroxylase is proposed. The synthase genes of Petroselinum and Daucus include introns which are lacking from the hydroxylase genes.