The Specific Features of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Regulation in Wheat

Anthocyanins are flavonoid pigments important for plant adaptation under biotic and abiotic stress conditions. In bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), purple pigmentation caused by anthocyanins can be present on leaves, culm, auricles, glumes, grains, coleoptile, and anthers. Since the first mentions on expression of purple color traits in wheat, the studies into inheritance of these characters have made big steps toward revealing molecular-genetic mechanisms of anthocyanin pigment biosynthesis and its regulation in wheat. Most of the structural genes, encoding enzymes of the biosynthesis, have been cloned and localized in wheat genome. The genetic mapping data suggest that different pigmentation patterns in wheat are determined by genetic loci, distinct from the enzyme encoding loci. The data on functional role of the genes underpinning phenotypic variation together with results of inter-genera comparative mapping suggest these genes to encode transcriptional activators of the anthocyanin biosynthesis structural genes. Here, a brief review is provided of recent findings in the genetic regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in wheat.