IN TRIFOLIUM-SUBTERRANEUM, CHALCONE SYNTHASE IS ENCODED BY A MULTIGENE FAMILY

Chalcone synthase (CHS) catalyzes the first and key regulatory step in flavonoid biosynthesis. We report the existence and characterization of a CHS multigene family present in Trifolium subterraneum L. cultiva r Karridale. The CHS family consists of at least four members, which a re tightly clustered in a 15-kb region. The complete sequences of two of these genes (CHS1 and CHS2) are presented. The putative promoters o f these genes have sequences which are homologous to those known, or i mplicated, in regulation of the expression of phenylpropanoid-encoding genes.