<i>PORA1/2</i>-dependent chlorophyll biosynthesis coordinates with carotenoid accumulation to drive petal color patterning in <i>Liriodendron</i>.

ABSTRACT: Liriodendron is a highly valued ornamental genus renowned for its distinctive tulip-shaped flowers. Despite its horticultural importance, the molecular mechanisms underlying interspecific variation in petal coloration, namely green petals in Liriodendron chinense (Hemsl.) Sargent, an orange-yellow basal band in Liriodendron tulipifera Linn., and an extended orange-yellow band in their hybrid, remain poorly understood. By integrating morphological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses, we found that orange-yellow pigmentation during petal development is closely associated with chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis. The expression of chlorophyll synthesis genes PORA1 and PORA2 showed a strong positive correlation with chlorophyll content,

SUBMITTER: Hu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12441795 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature