Haplotyped genome mapping and functional characterization of a blueberry anthocyanin acetyltransferase (AAT) controlling the accumulation of acylated anthocyanins.

ABSTRACT: Blueberry has a diversity of anthocyanins that confer its characteristic blue-coloured skin. Whilst most cultivars produce only anthocyanin glycosides, some can add aliphatic or aromatic groups to the sugar moiety to create acylated anthocyanins. Due to their enhanced stability, acylated anthocyanins represent an attractive breeding target in blueberry. In this study, a haplotype-resolved assembly of a previously identified quantitative trait locus on chromosome 2 of 'Hortblue Petite' (Vaccinium corymbosum) was created to identify candidate anthocyanin acyltransferase genes. One full-length gene (VcAAT1a) was selected based on quantitative PCR expression profiling and transient expression in tobacco leaves and in strawberry and blueberry fruit flesh. In all three systems, VcAAT1a was able

SUBMITTER: Dare AP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11981897 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature