Expression Analysis of the ANR and LAR Gene in Fragaria × ananassa cv. Toyonaka

Strawberry is an economically valuable crop all over the word. Proanthocyanidin is one polyphenol compound rich in strawberry fruits owned significant antioxidant capacity and claimed beneficial health effects. Anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) and leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LAR) are both key enzymes of the branch of proanthocyanidins biosynthesis pathway, which are responsible for the production of (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin, respectively. In this study, the expression levels of the Fa-ANR and Fa-LAR gene and the total PAs concentration at seven developmental stages of the strawberry fruit were investigated. The results showed that the PAs contents gradually reduced along with the fruit maturation; while the expression patterns of Fa-ANR and Fa-LAR were consistent with the PAs. These results indicated that LAR and ANR were both key enzymes in proanthocyanidin biosynthesis.