Integrated metabolic profiling and transcriptome analysis of pigment accumulation in Lonicera japonica flower petals during colour-transition

Abstract Background Plants have remarkable diversity in petal colour through the biosynthesis and accumulation of various pigments. To better understand mechanisms regulating pigmentation Lonicera japonica , we used multiple approaches to investigate changes carotenoids, anthocyanins, endogenous hormones gene expression dynamics during transitions, i.e., green bud petals (GB_Pe), white flower (WF_Pe) yellow (YF_Pe). Results Metabolome analysis showed that YF_Pe contained a much higher content carotenoids than GB_Pe WF_Pe, with ?-carotene, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin ?-carotene identified as major carotenoid compounds YF_Pe. Comparative transcriptome revealed key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved biosynthesis, such phytoene synthase desaturase ?-carotene were significantly upregulated The results indicated concentrations biosynthesis-related predominantly promote transition. Meanwhile, two anthocyanins (pelargonidin cyanidin) increased YF_Pe, level an anthocyanidin was upregulated, suggesting may contribute vivid Furthermore, analyses indoleacetic acid, zeatin riboside, gibberellic brassinosteroid (BR), methyl jasmonate abscisic acid (ABA) levels transitions are regulated by hormones. DEGs auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, BR, jasmonic ABA signalling pathways enriched associated transitions. Conclusion Our provide global insight into pigment regulatory underlying development process L. .