Abstract: In this study, we analyzed the relative expression levels of the structural genes VcCHS, VcCHI, VcF3H, VcDFR and VcANS as well as the transcription factor MYB involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways in six cultivars of highbush blueberry including Emerald, Lanmei #1, Gulf Coast, Legacy, Biloxi, and O’neal and two cultivars of rabbiteye blueberry (i.e. Brightwell and Gardenblue) by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The results showed that VcCHS, VcCHI, VcF3H, VcDFR and VcANS could up-regulate the synthesis of anthocyanins and promote the production of anthocyanins. However, VcANR had a down-regulatory effect on anthocyanin synthesis, reducing the content of anthocyanins in blueberries. The regulatory effect of the transcription factor MYB on anthocyanin synthesis was relatively complex, which was related to its expression level. The results of this study can provide a foundation for further research on high-quality blueberry cultivars with respect to anthocyanins and for the development of functional foods containing blueberry anthocyanins.

Key words: blueberry anthocyanins; structural genes; transcription factor MYB; gene expression