Overexpression of the Anthocyanidin Synthase Gene in Strawberry Enhances Antioxidant Capacity and Cytotoxic Effects on Human Hepatic Cancer Cells.

Food biofortification has become a major goal for preventing several diseases, including cancer. Here, strawberry lines of cv. Calypso transformed with a construct containing an anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) gene were produced to study the effects on anthocyanin biosynthesis, metabolism, and transcriptome. Three strawberry ANS transgenic lines were analyzed for phytochemical composition and total antioxidant capacity, and their fruit extracts assessed for cytotoxic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma. Fruit transcriptome was also specifically affected in the polyphenol biosynthesis and in other related metabolic pathways. Fruit extracts exerted cytotoxic effects, increasing cellular apoptosis and free radical levels and impairing mitochondrial functionality.