Molecular Control of Flower Colour Change in Angiosperms
Floral pigmentation contributes directly to reproductive strategies and fitness by shaping pollinator behaviour, and its regulation therefore represents a critical aspect of flower development. Additionally, it is a major determinant of aesthetic and economic value in the ornamental plant industry....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2185 |
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| author | Fernanda M. Rezende Magdalena Rossi Cláudia M. Furlan |
| author_facet | Fernanda M. Rezende Magdalena Rossi Cláudia M. Furlan |
| author_sort | Fernanda M. Rezende |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Floral pigmentation contributes directly to reproductive strategies and fitness by shaping pollinator behaviour, and its regulation therefore represents a critical aspect of flower development. Additionally, it is a major determinant of aesthetic and economic value in the ornamental plant industry. This review explores the genetic, biochemical, and ecological bases of floral colour change, focusing on the biosynthesis and regulation of the three major classes of plant pigments: carotenoids, flavonoids (particularly anthocyanins), and betalains. These pigments, derived from primary metabolism through distinct biosynthetic pathways, define the spatial and temporal variability of floral colouration. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying flower colour change from opening to senescence, highlighting pigment biosynthesis and degradation, pH shifts, metal complexation, and co-pigmentation. Additionally, we address the regulatory networks, including transcription factors (MYB, bHLH, and WDR) and post-transcriptional control, that influence pigment production. Finally, we provide a comprehensive survey of angiosperm species exhibiting dynamic petal colour changes, emphasizing how these mechanisms are regulated. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c0910e39f9f94a2c88a7d827cbeaccae |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-c0910e39f9f94a2c88a7d827cbeaccae2025-08-20T03:08:06ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-07-011414218510.3390/plants14142185Molecular Control of Flower Colour Change in AngiospermsFernanda M. Rezende0Magdalena Rossi1Cláudia M. Furlan2Department of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, SP, BrazilDepartment of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, SP, BrazilDepartment of Botany, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, SP, BrazilFloral pigmentation contributes directly to reproductive strategies and fitness by shaping pollinator behaviour, and its regulation therefore represents a critical aspect of flower development. Additionally, it is a major determinant of aesthetic and economic value in the ornamental plant industry. This review explores the genetic, biochemical, and ecological bases of floral colour change, focusing on the biosynthesis and regulation of the three major classes of plant pigments: carotenoids, flavonoids (particularly anthocyanins), and betalains. These pigments, derived from primary metabolism through distinct biosynthetic pathways, define the spatial and temporal variability of floral colouration. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying flower colour change from opening to senescence, highlighting pigment biosynthesis and degradation, pH shifts, metal complexation, and co-pigmentation. Additionally, we address the regulatory networks, including transcription factors (MYB, bHLH, and WDR) and post-transcriptional control, that influence pigment production. Finally, we provide a comprehensive survey of angiosperm species exhibiting dynamic petal colour changes, emphasizing how these mechanisms are regulated.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2185anthocyaninsbetalainscarotenoidsplant pigmenttranscription factortranscriptional regulation |
| spellingShingle | Fernanda M. Rezende Magdalena Rossi Cláudia M. Furlan Molecular Control of Flower Colour Change in Angiosperms Plants anthocyanins betalains carotenoids plant pigment transcription factor transcriptional regulation |
| title | Molecular Control of Flower Colour Change in Angiosperms |
| title_full | Molecular Control of Flower Colour Change in Angiosperms |
| title_fullStr | Molecular Control of Flower Colour Change in Angiosperms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular Control of Flower Colour Change in Angiosperms |
| title_short | Molecular Control of Flower Colour Change in Angiosperms |
| title_sort | molecular control of flower colour change in angiosperms |
| topic | anthocyanins betalains carotenoids plant pigment transcription factor transcriptional regulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/14/2185 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fernandamrezende molecularcontrolofflowercolourchangeinangiosperms AT magdalenarossi molecularcontrolofflowercolourchangeinangiosperms AT claudiamfurlan molecularcontrolofflowercolourchangeinangiosperms |