Analyzing Morphology, Metabolomics, and Transcriptomics Offers Invaluable Insights into the Mechanisms of Pigment Accumulation in the Diverse-Colored Labellum Tissues of Alpinia

Author:

Zhao Tong1,Yu Qianxia2,Lin Canjia3,Liu Huanfang3,Dong Limei1,Feng Xinxin4,Liao Jingping3

Affiliation:

1. Guangdong Eco-engineering Polytechnic, Guangzhou 510520, China

2. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, South China Peanut Sub-Center of National Center of Oilseed Crops Improvement, Crops Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China

3. Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China

4. Dongguan Botanical Garden, Dongguan 523086, China

Abstract

Alpinia plants are widely cherished for their vibrant and captivating flowers. The unique feature of this genus lies in their labellum, a specialized floral structure resulting from the fusion of two non-fertile staminodes. However, the intricate process of pigment formation, leading to distinct color patterns in the various labellum segments of Alpinia, remains a subject of limited understanding. In this study, labellum tissues of two Alpinia species, A. zerumbet (yellow–orange flowers) and A. oxyphylla (white–purple flowers), were sampled and analyzed through morphological structure observation, metabolite analysis, and transcriptome analyses. We found that hemispherical/spherical epidermal cells and undulate cell population morphology usually display darker flower colors, while flat epidermal cells and cell populations usually exhibit lighter flower colors. Metabolomic analysis identified a high concentration of anthocyanins, particularly peonidin derivatives, in segments with orange and purple pigments. Additionally, segments with yellow pigments showed significant accumulations of flavones, flavanols, flavanones, and xanthophylls. Furthermore, our investigation into gene expression levels through qRT-PCR revealed notable differences in several genes that participated in anthocyanin and carotenoid biosynthesis among the four pigmented segments. Collectively, these findings offer a comprehensive understanding of pigmentation in Alpinia flowers and serve as a valuable resource for guiding future breeding efforts aimed at developing Alpinia varieties with novel flower colors.

Funder

Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

Characteristic Innovation Project of Ordinary Universities in Guangdong Province

Special Projects in Key Fields of Ordinary Universities in Guangdong Province

Guangzhou Science and Technology Projects

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Plant Science,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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