Genetic and Biochemical Studies on the Conversion of Dihydroflavonols to Flavonols in Flowers of Petunia hybrida

Abstract

Abstract Soluble enzyme preparations from flower buds of Petunia hybrida catalyzed the conversion of dihydroflavonols to flavonols. Dihydrokaempferol and dihydroquercetin were readily converted to the respective flavonols, whereas dihydromyricetin was a poor substrate. The reaction required 2-oxoglutarate, ascorbate and Fe2+ as cofactors and had a pH optimum at about 6.5. In the presence of the dominant allele Fl, high enzyme activity for flavonol formation was found, whereas in enzyme preparations from flower buds of recessive genotypes (fl/fl) only low enzyme activity could be observed. A substantial correlation was found between enzyme activity for flavonol formation and the flavonol content of buds and flowers during development.