Molecular mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi flowers with different colours

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, known as Huangqin in China, is a perennial herb cultivated worldwide for its medicinal properties. Three Scutellaria baicalensis germplasms with bluish purple (SB), rose red (SR) and white (SW) flower screened in the genuine producing area Shandong Province, China, were used as the research materials. To understand the molecular mechanism of colour variation, transcriptomics was adopted to analyze the gene expression profile and integration analysis was carried out. The key structural genes and closely correlated transcription factors were identified to construct a preliminary regulatory network of anthocyanin synthesis in S. baicalensis. The results provide valuable information on anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation in S. baicalensis flowers.