Expression of the ANS, CHS and DFR genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in Vaccinium floribundum Kunth from Ecuador, using RT-qPCR

Vaccinium floribundum Kunth, a wild native species of berry in Ecuador, presents a lot of phenolic compounds, specifically anthocyanins; hence it is considered a natural nutraceutical due to all its nutritional properties. The comparison of the expression of genes is involved in the biosynthesis pathway of anthocyanin of several populations. The aim of the research was to analyze the expression levels of three genes involved in the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in this species collected in two areas of the province of Pichincha: Machachi population of the Mejía canton, with geographic coordinates 0 ° 31′04.8 ″ S 78 ° 37′07.4 ″ W and altitude 3200 meters above sea level, and Pintag population of the Quito cantón, with geographic coordinates 0 ° 24′00.0 ″ S 78 ° 24′00.0 ‐ W and altitude 3000 meters above sea level. The gene expression analysis was performed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique and reverse transcription (RT-qPCR). For the population of Machachi, the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene had an average concentration of 648.59 ng/μL, followed by the chalcone synthase gene with 143.71 ng/μL, then by the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene with 59.58 ng/μL and finally by the anthocyanin synthase gene with 39 ng/μL. For the population of Pintag, the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene has an average concentration of 667.32 ng/μL, followed by the chalcone synthase gene with 157.22 ng/μL, then by the dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene with 60.42 ng/μL, and finally by the anthocyanin synthase gene with 44.40 ng/μL. Each gene has a similar expression level in both populations, but there are differences when comparing the expression level among genes. Many enzymes, structural genes, and regulatory elements have been observed as transcription factors involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis.