RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Role of Anthocyanidin Reductase, Encoded by BANYULS in Plant Flavonoid Biosynthesis JF Science JO Science FD American Association for the Advancement of Science SP 396 OP 399 DO 10.1126/science.1078540 VO 299 IS 5605 A1 Xie, De-Yu A1 Sharma, Shashi B. A1 Paiva, Nancy L. A1 Ferreira, Daneel A1 Dixon, Richard A. YR 2003 UL http://science.sciencemag.org/content/299/5605/396.abstract AB Condensed tannins (CTs) are flavonoid oligomers, many of which have beneficial effects on animal and human health. The flavanol (–)-epicatechin is a component of many CTs and contributes to flavor and astringency in tea and wine. We show that the BANYULS(BAN) genes from Arabidopsis thaliana andMedicago truncatula encode anthocyanidin reductase, which converts anthocyanidins to their corresponding 2,3-cis-flavan-3-ols. Ectopic expression of BAN in tobacco flower petals and Arabidopsis leaves results in loss of anthocyanins and accumulation of CTs.