花色苷是果实品质重要因子，提高果实花色苷含量可改进果实色泽。桃为积累花色苷的重要水果，先前研究已经表明光可通过增强相关转录因子（MYB、bHLH 和 WD40）基因表达而促进花色苷合成，但光照如何实现对转录因子基因表达的调控尚不清楚，而且就品种间对光存在敏感性差异的成因尚无研究。本项目拟以‘湖景蜜露’、‘玉露’和‘晚湖景’桃为研究材料，结合运用功能基因组学、分子生物学和生物技术等手段，以光受体（UV-B受体UVR8、UV-A/蓝光受体Cry1、Cry2）及信号转导中的元件（COP1、HY5等）功能鉴别及其对MYB、bHLH 和 WD40的作用机制等为主题，从基因序列差异、基因表达差异、转录调控途径和蛋白互作机制等角度入手，研究桃果实着色对光的依赖机制以及品种间对光敏感性存在差异的成因。项目研究对于深入理解桃果实花色苷的积累及调控机制具有重要意义，也可为探索提高花色苷含量的措施提供理论支撑。

Anthocyanins are important compounds affecting fruit quality, and fruit color can be improved through increasing the anthocyanin accumulation. Anthocyanins are pigments accumulated in ripe peach fruit, and its accumulation can be enhanced by light through stimulating the expression of transcription factors MYB, bHLH and WD40, as revealed by our previous studies. However, how the expression of transcription factors was regulated by light remains to be a mystery. Meanwhile, the mechanisms underlying the different sensitivity to light among cultivars were unexplored. With “Hujingmilu”, “Yulu”, and “Late Hujingmilu” peach as material, and by applying functional genomics, molecular and biotechnological techniques, this project focuses on the functional characterization of genes encoding light receptors, including UV-B receptor UVR8 as well as UV-A/blue light receptor Cry1 and Cry2, and signaling elements like COP1 and HY5, etc., and their roles and the mechanisms involved in regulation of MYB, bHLH and WD40. By comparing differences in gene sequence and gene expression, and analyzing transcriptional regulation and protein interaction details, the project aimed to answer why the anthocyanin accumulation in peach was light dependent and why the anthocyanin biosynthesis and its sensitivity to light varies among cultivars. The study can contribute to elucidation of the mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis and its regulation, as well as to provide a basis for exploring strategies for improving accumulation of anthocyanins in peach fruit.