The Peterhof genetic collection of rye maintains lines with different types of grain color. The violet color of the pericarp is presumably controlled by the Vs gene (violet seed). Since there is a variability in seed color from an intense violet color ("strong" dominant allele) to a weak violet color - ("weak" allele) and lack of color (recessive allele vs), we assume that the Vs gene is a transcription factor that controls the work of structural genes for the synthesis of anthocyanins.
Transcriptome analysis of the pericarp and aleurone of caryopses of rye lines (12 days after pollination) with varied seed color revealed interline differences in the expression of genes involved in the synthesis and regulation of anthocyanin synthesis: the “late” genes for anthocyanin synthesis, genes of transcription factors that are homologues of maize genes Anthocyanin regulatory RS protein and Anthocyanin regulatory C1 protein. The number of transcripts between violet and uncolored lines significantly differ and is higher for stained lines, which allows us to consider these genes as candidate genes Vs.

This study was supported by RFBR (grant No 19-016-00205) and state budget (project “Genetics and breeding of rye on the base of natural hereditary diversity”). The research was done with the use of “Center for Molecular and Cell Technologies” of St. Petersburg State University.