Tissue-specific Accumulation of Flavonoids in Grape Berries is Related to Transcriptional Expression of VvF3′H and VvF3′5′H

The products and the related gene expression of flavonoid metabolism were examined in the skin and pulpof Yan73 (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) grapes, a teinturier variety cultivated in China, and the data were comparedwith those in the skin and pulp of Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) grapes, a well-known redvariety. The results showed that, in comparison with the skins of Cabernet Sauvignon, the skins of Yan73berries were characterised by fewer types of flavonols and anthocyanins, a higher level of flavonoids,and a much lower percentage of 3′-hydroxylated flavonols. Flavonoid metabolism was also present in thepulp of Yan73, and the percentages of 3′-hydroxylated flavonols and 3′-hydroxylated flavan-3-ols weresignificantly higher than the percentages of their corresponding 3′,5′-hydroxylated forms. Only flavan-3-ols were found in the pulp of Cabernet Sauvignon. The expression of VvmybA1 exhibited a co-ordinationwith the accumulation of anthocyanins in the pulp of the teinturier cultivar, which showed great similarityto that in the skin. A good correlation was found between the expression of VvF3′H and 3′-hydroxylatedflavonoids, as well as between the expression of VvF3′5′H and 3′,5′-hydroxylated flavonoids in the skin andpulp of the grape berries. It is suggested that tissue-specific accumulation of flavonoids in grape berries isrelated to the transcriptional expression of VvF3′H and VvF3′5′H