Computational and evolutionary insights into anthocyanin biosynthesis

alignment of the aminoacid sequences also showed CHS is highly conserved

than others. Rausher et al . (2008), studied of 15 Ipomoea sp. and concluded that

difference in the rate of nonsynonymous substitution between upstream enzymes

ANS and UFGT and down srteam enzyme CHS is not because of rate of adaptive

substitution but because of selective constraint. From this study, we also concluded

that the top branching enzyme CHS evolves very slowly than others because of

selective constraint not because of mutation rate as this enzyme takes part not

only in production of anthocyanin flavonoid compounds but also in various biotic

and abiotic stresses. Any mutation or changes in enzyme will cause detrimental in

physiological and ecological function in the plant. Downstream enzymes evolve

more rapidly as they are specific in role of producing anthocyanins according to

plants need.

Comparative analysis of anthocyanin pathway genes between different species of

solanaceaeandpoaceaewillprovidemolecularevidenceunderlyingtheimportance

of anthocyanin gene evolution. The extensive divergence and conserved sequences

of these genes will help to design genetic markers controlling pigment patterns

and anthocyanin content. Understanding of the molecular basis of anthocyanin

gene evolution is necessary to unravel the diversity in flower color, variety of

anthocyanin contents among different parts of the same plants and same organ of

different species.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Indian Council of Agricultural Research and National Research

Centre on Plant Biotechnology for the financial assistance. Authors also thank Dr.

T. R. Sharma and Dr N. K. Singh for their critical evaluation of the research.

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