Anthocyanin accumulation and changes in CHS and PR-5 gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana after removal of the inflorescence stem (decapitation)

Anthocyanin accumulation occurs in rosette leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana within 8 days after removal of the inflorescence stem. Expression of stress-induced genes CHS and PR-5 was strongly up-regulated by stem removal, and was highest on day 4 after decapitation. These levels were 10 and 5 times higher than in the control, respectively. No obvious difference was found in expression of LHCB, MEB5.2, or PYROA genes following stem removal. We demonstrate that removing the inflorescence stem triggers events in Arabidopsis, including pigment accumulation and changes in gene expression of a subset of stress-induced genes, in a tissue distant from the wound site.