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Diversity and Ecological Functions of Anthocyanins
Version 1
: Received: 29 August 2024 / Approved: 30 August 2024 / Online: 30 August 2024 (15:41:22 CEST)
How to cite: Grünig, N.; Horz, J. M.; Pucker, B. Diversity and Ecological Functions of Anthocyanins. Preprints 2024, 2024082272. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.2272.v1 Grünig, N.; Horz, J. M.; Pucker, B. Diversity and Ecological Functions of Anthocyanins. Preprints 2024, 2024082272. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202408.2272.v1
Abstract
Anthocyanins are well known as colorants of flowers, but many other invisible functions might have been more important during the evolution of complex biosynthesis networks in plants. The number of anthocyanin decorating enzymes, the subtle control of structural genes by numerous transcription factors, and routes of intracellular anthocyanin transport are reviewed here. Various ecological functions of anthocyanins hold the key to understanding evolutionary trajectories that lead to the success of these pigments. Proposed functions include carbon sinks that prevent excessive sugar levels, sun blockers protecting the photosynthesis apparatus, antioxidants scavenging reactive oxygen species, providing camouflage, and attraction of pollinators and seed dispersers. Anthocyanins clearly fulfill different functions in different plant organs. It is currently believed that protective functions in leaves gave rise to the biosynthesis network and that flower and fruit coloration evolved later.
Keywords
anthocyanin modification; flavonoids; specialized plant metabolism; pigmentation; transcriptional regulation; ecological function; metabolic diversity
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Plant Sciences
Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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