Genome-wide characterization of the anthocyanin O-methyltransferases in the cultivated potato

O-methyltransferases (OMTs) are group of enzymes involved in the methylation of various secondary metabolites, including anthocyanins. This secondary modification, together with hydroxylation and glycosylation, affects the chromatic properties, stability and reactivity of these pigments. Meanwhile, no detailed identification or genome-wide analysis of the OMT gene family members in potato (Solanum tuberosum) has been reported. We conducted a genome-wide identification and characterization of potato OMTs, identifying 65 OMT family members. These were characterized based on gene structure, evolutionary relationships, and promoter motifs. Analysis of available gene expression profiles from public databases revealed expression patterns indicative of tissue- and temporal-specificity Finally, we further elucidated expression differences among four selected OMT-encoding genes using potato cell cultures, which represent a smart and gainful alternative for anthocyanin production and deep knowledge about these post-biosynthetic modifications.