Disrupting a single enzyme gene in red perilla reshaped its metabolism, producing green plants enriched in health-promoting molecules

Hiroshima University researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to transform red perilla into green varieties while simultaneously boosting health-beneficial compounds. By disabling the flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) gene, the team achieved a striking color change from red to green leaves and increased luteolin concentrations approximately sixfold compared to unedited plants.

“Plants edited at the F3H gene lost their characteristic red pigmentation and developed green” leaves matching conventional varieties, explained Hidemasa Bono, corresponding study author.

The metabolic shift involved reduced anthocyanins and elevated flavones, including luteolin with known antioxidant properties. Rosmarinic acid levels also increased, indicating broader phenylpropanoid pathway changes. Importantly, stable edited lines contained no foreign DNA from the editing process.

The research demonstrates feasibility for developing non-transgenic perilla with tailored metabolic profiles for food and pharmaceutical applications.

Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2026.1877946
Article Title: CRISPR-Cas9 disruption of flavanone 3-hydroxylase produces a green phenotype and alters flavone metabolites in allotetraploid perilla
Publication Date: June 15, 2026

Source: EurekAlert