A Chemical Genetics Approach to Explore Anthocyanin Regulation in Nitrogen-deprived Arabidopsis Seedlings

Plants often experience varying soil nitrogen levels during their life cycle, and adjust growth and development to accommodate these changes. In the present study, a chemical genetics approach was implemented to discover molecular components involved in the induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis, in response to altered nitrogen levels. Using a robust high-throughput approach, a chemical library was screened to discover compounds capable of attenuating anthocyanin levels in nitrogen-deprived Arabidopsis seedlings. Chemical screens were successful in identifying four compounds that appear to mis-regulate anthocyanin accumulation during nitrogen deprivation. A chemical-induced phenotype was characterized, and the results indicate that chemical application must occur at a specific developmental stage. Furthermore, low nitrogen-induction of anthocyanins is highly sensitive to chemical application, and chemicals appear to exert their effect throughout early seedling growth. Future mutational and genome-wide studies will bridge the gap in understanding the link between anthocyanin biosynthesis and nitrogen availability.M.Sc