Evolution of grape color

2004/07/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Eboluzioa

A team of researchers has taken black, white and red grapes and studied the evolution of their colors. It seems that the black grape first became white and then the white vine became red by random mutations.

The skin of the grapes is colored by a red pigment called anthocyanin. Researchers have identified the gene that controls the production of this pigment in black grapes and have discovered that this gene is mutated in white grapes. Part of DNA is the cause of color loss. In white grapes it appears in the two copies of the gene. In red grapes, however, this DNA color eraser appears only in one of the two genes.

According to the conclusions obtained through the study of genes, a mutation eliminated the coloration of black grapes white grapes. Subsequently, a second mutation restored the coloration but did not complete it. Thus the red grape was born.