How genes paint flowers and seeds

Mutant analyses have given insight into the various parameters that contribute to flower colour and pattern, which is so important for pollination. One important factor is the accumulation of orange, red and purple anthocyanin pigments in the cell vacuole - patterns arise by cell-specific expression of combinations of regulatory proteins. The overall colour perceived is also influenced by vacuolar pH, co-pigmentation and the shape of the petal cells. Although understanding of the biochemistry and genetics of anthocyanin and flavonol biosynthesis is well developed, this is not the case for pH and cell-shape control.