Comparison of transcriptional profiles of flavonoid genes and anthocyanin contents during fruit development of two botanical forms of Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis

Through a qRT-PCR approach, the level of expression of 12 genes involved in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis pathways were analyzed in two botanical forms of the native Chilean strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. chiloensis (barely pigmented fruit) and Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. patagonica (red fruit). Transcriptional profiles of five anthocyanin-related genes showed marked form-associated trends during fruit development. The contents of anthocyanins found in the red and white strawberry were consistent with transcriptional analyses.