Characterization and functional validation of β-carotene hydroxylase AcBCH genes in Actinidia chinensis

Abstract

Carotenoids are the pigment substances of yellow-fleshed kiwifruit, and among them β -cryptoxanthin has only been detected in the brighter yellow-fleshed variety ‘Jinshi 1’. β -Carotene hydroxylase (BCH) catalyzes the formation of β -cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin, but its molecular characteristics and functions have not been fully explained. Here we isolated two β -carotene hydroxylase genes, AcBCH1 and AcBCH2 from kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis), and their relative expression levels exhibited a close correlation with the content of β -cryptoxanthin. AcBCH1 catalyzed the formation of β -cryptoxanthin when transformed into β -carotene-accumulating yeast cells. Moreover, silenced expression of AcBCH1 in kiwifruit caused decreases in the contents of zeaxanthin, lutein, and β -cryptoxanthin, and an increase in β -carotene content. The content of β -carotene decreased significantly after the AcBCH1 / 2 genes were overexpressed in tomato. The content of zeaxanthin increased and β -carotene decreased in transgenic kiwifruit seedlings. The results will enrich our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of carotenoid biosynthesis in kiwifruit.

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