2025/12/23 by Nele Grünig, Jakob Maximilian Horz, Boas Pucker · 1 voice · 13 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Anthocyanin #Attraction #Gene #Horticultural and Viticultural Research #Light effects on plants #Photosynthesis #Plant Gene Expression Analysis #Reactive oxygen species #Sugar
paper · doi:10.1186/s12870-025-08006-3
published in BMC Plant Biology 26(1), 146 (BioMed Central)
openalex created_date 2025/12/23 · openalex publication_date 2025/12/23 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Anthocyanins are well known as colorants of flowers, but many other invisible functions might have been more important during the evolution of complex biosynthesis networks in plants. The number of anthocyanin decorating enzymes, the subtle control of structural genes by numerous transcription factors, and routes of intracellular anthocyanin transport are reviewed here. Various ecological functions of anthocyanins hold the key to understanding evolutionary trajectories that lead to the success of these pigments. Proposed functions include carbon sinks that prevent excessive sugar levels, sun blockers protecting the photosynthesis apparatus, antioxidants scavenging reactive oxygen species, providing camouflage, and attraction of pollinators and seed dispersers. Anthocyanins clearly fulfill different functions in different plant organs. It is currently believed that protective functions in leaves gave rise to the biosynthesis network and that flower and fruit coloration evolved later. Despite decades of research on the anthocyanin biosynthesis, there is still substantial potential for fundamental discoveries.