Abstract
Anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) is a key enzyme regulating anthocyanin synthesis and accumulation in plants. Here, lychee ANR genes were globally identified, their sequence and phylogenetic characteristics were analyzed, and their spatiotemporal expression patterns were characterized. A total of 51 ANR family members were identified in the lychee genome. The length of the encoded amino acid residues ranged from 87 aa to 289 aa, the molecular weight ranged from 9.49 KD to 32.40 KD, and the isoelectric point (pI) ranged from 4.83 to 9.33. Most of the members were acidic proteins. Most members of the LcANR family were located in the cytoplasm. The 51 LcANR family members were unevenly distributed in 11 chromosomes, and their exons and motif conserved structures were significantly different from each other. Promoters in over 90% of LcANR members contained anaerobically induced response elements, and 88% contained photoresponsive elements. Most LcANR family members had low expression in nine lychee tissues and organs (root, young leaf, bud, female flower, male flower, pericarp, pulp, seed, and calli), and some members showed tissue-specific expression patterns. The expression of one gene, LITCHI029356.m1, decreased with the increase of anthocyanin accumulation in 'Feizixiao' and 'Ziniangxi' pericarp, which was negatively correlated with pericarp coloring. The identified LcANR gene was heterologously expressed in tobacco K326, and the function of the LcANR gene was verified. This study provides a basis for the further study of LcANR function, particularly the role in lychee pericarp coloration.