Researchers have identified a key genetic driver behind the chemical composition of safflower plants. A study published in Horticulture Research reveals that the gene CtUGT52 plays a central role in the production of hydroxysafflor yellow A, a compound known for its benefits to heart health.
For years, scientists struggled to pinpoint exactly how safflower varieties produce different flavonoids. While yellow flowers are rich in beneficial compounds, white varieties lack these same features. Because flavonoid production involves complex networks of enzymes, finding the specific switch proved difficult. The team used a multi-omics approach to map quantitative trait loci across the safflower genome, narrowing the search to a family of glycosyltransferase enzymes.
Professor Meili Guo and her team discovered that CtUGT52 acts as a versatile biocatalyst. By testing the enzyme in laboratory settings and verifying the results in transgenic plants, they confirmed that overexpressing this single gene increases HSYA production by up to 3.8 times. This discovery provides a clear path for plant breeders to select high-value varieties more efficiently.
Beyond traditional breeding, the versatility of CtUGT52 offers potential for industrial applications. The ability of the enzyme to handle different substrates makes it an attractive tool for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic sectors. This work highlights how advanced genetic mapping can unlock medicinal compounds that were previously difficult to study or produce in large quantities.