Evaluation of transient expression of AS1 and 4'CGT genes in African violets petals by agroinfiltration for Production new color in the flower

The production of ornamental cultivars with new colors is the main goal in the flower and ornamental plants industry. African violet is well known commercially and available in different colors except yellow flower. The aim of this study was to change the color of A. violet petals and to produce the biosynthetic pathway of auron pigment through genetic manipulation of AS1 and 4'CGT genes. To this end, t genes were isolated from Antirrhinum majus petals yellow using PCR with specific primers and ligated into the expression vectors pCAMBIA1304 and pBI121, respectively. Recombinant pBI121+4'CGT and pCAMBIA1304+AS1 vectors were confirmed using colony PCR, enzyme digestion, sequencing and comparative analysis in the database. They were then transferred to Agrobacterium strain LBA4404 by electroporation method and was examined in the petals of A. violet using a temporary expression system. In this system, Agrobacterium suspension carrying the gene structure was injected using a syringe at the base of the petals.. Morphological results after 3 days clearly showed discoloration of white to pale yellow petals and no change was observed in control petals. PCR analysis and light microscopy confirmed gene expression and phenotypic changes, respectively. Also, aureusidin-6-O-glucoside (AOG) was detected in transgenic petals using HPLC-DAD-MSn. By using this system, the gene structure can be transferred to ornamental plants with more confidence for permanent transgenic. In addition, this research can open the way for engineering the creation of yellow color in ornamental plant species that do not have this type of color.