Regulation mechanism of carotenoid synthesis in alfalfa has

Recently, the latest results of the Institute of Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, published in The Plant Cell, reveal the molecular regulation mechanism of carotenoid biosynthesis in alfalfa, a forage crop.

Alfalfa is an excellent forage and the largest leguminous forage crop in China. It enjoys the reputation of "King of Forage" because of its rich protein, strong adaptability, high soil improvement and economic value. Carotenoids are a kind of natural fat-soluble pigments widely existing in nature. They play an important role in plant photosynthesis, hormone synthesis and color determination. They also have many biological functions, such as antioxidant, anti-tumor, enhancing immunity and protecting vision. However, at present, molecular regulators of carotenoid synthesis are involved. The system is still unclear.

In this study, we successfully cloned WP1, a key regulatory gene for carotenoid synthesis in Tribulus terrestris, using a carotenoid synthesis deficient mutant of Alfalfa. The gene encodes a R2R3 MYB transcription factor, which regulates carotenoid accumulation in alfalfa (Tribulus terrestris L.) by directly activating gene expression of carotenoid synthesis pathway.

The above work systematically reveals the regulation mechanism of plant carotenoid biosynthesis, and provides an important theoretical basis for the cultivation of carotenoid nutritionally improved crops and new high-quality functional forage varieties.