Cloning of divergent chalcone synthase sequences from pelargonium

Chalcone synthase (CHS) is the key enzyme of the flavonoid-anthocyanin pathway. It leads to the production of a highly diverse group of compounds. Its members play different roles in the interaction of the plant with its environment. In most studied plants, not only one gene, but a small gene family codes for CHS-like enzymes. The cultivated Pelargoniums are of hybrid origin and in many cases polyploid as well. We cloned genomic fragments of CHS genes from three botanical species Pelargonium frutetorum, P. inquinans P. lanceolatum and three hybrids a Pelargonium-Zonale-Hybrid, a Pelargonium-Peltatum-Hybrid, and a Pelargonium- Grandiflorum-Hybrid. We compared the resulting sequences to investigate their heterogeneity and possible relatedness.