Variation in the Calyx Color in Two Styrax japonicus Varieties Is Attributed to Varied Anthocyanin Levels as Revealed by Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses

Styrax japonicus is a small ornamental tree with medicinal value. An S. variety purplish red calyxes and white petals has higher The mechanism underlying calyx pigmentation in still unclear. In this study, metabolome data combined transcriptome profiling were used to explore the molecular mechanisms difference color of two varieties japonicus, namely, Red Linglong (RA; calyx) Green (GA; green calyx). Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis indicated that levels delphinidin 3,5-diglucoside, 3-O-glucoside, malvidin 3-O-glucoside when enriched biosynthesis significantly RA than GA calyx. These key differentially accumulated metabolites highly correlated five late biosynthetic genes anthocyanin pathway. MYB1, MYB82, MYB113 three probable transcription factors responsible for accumulation. This study provides novel insights into secondary metabolism pathways, their regulators, changes metabolite regulating sepal color. results provide theoretical basis exploring formation genetic material reference breeding obtain desired flower colors future.