Transient expression of maize anthocyanin regulatory genes influences anthocyanin production in white clover and peas

Transient expression of the maize anthocyanin regulatory genes, B-Peru and C1, was examined in maize cell suspensions, and in pea and white clover tissues in order to determine if these maize regulators can function in legume tissues. Optimal ratios and amounts of B-Peru and C1 genes for anthocyanin production were determined in maize cell suspensions. Activation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in legume tissues was observed following expression of the B-Peru and C1 genes, delivered in the pre-determined optimal ratio and amounts by microparticle bombardment. Tissue-specific expression of these genes was observed in the legumes tested and the exact sites of anthocyanin expression in pea depended on the cultivar tested. Maize anthocyanin regulatory genes can activate anthocyanin biosynthesis in legume tissues, but appear to be subject to tissue specific controls. Three of the four varieties of pea tested were able to accumulate anthocyanin when the B-Peru coding region alone was biolistically expressed.