[Expression of the F3h gene in various wheat organs].

In plants, the F3h gene encodes akey enzyme of flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, flavanone 3-hydroxylase. In most plant species, F3h is a single-copy gene, whereas in the genome of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L., 2n = 6x = 42, BBAADD), four copies of this gene were found. Using RT-PCR, transcription of these copies was studied in various organs of several wheat genotypes. Three homoeologous copies (F3h-A1, F3h-B1, F3h-D1) manifested similar expression patterns and were specifically transcribed in caryopsis pericarp, culm, coleoptile and leaf colored with anthocyanins. The paralogous copy F3h-B2 in the B-genome was expressed only in wheat roots and probably is involved in biosynthesis of some uncolored flavonoid compounds unrelated to anthocyanin biosynthesis.