A full-length cDNA encoding dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (st-dfr) of potato was isolated by rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and their expression was investigated from purple-fleshed potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Jashim). The st-dfr exists as a member of a small gene family and its transcripts was abundant in the order of tuber flesh, stem, leaf, and root. The expressions of st-dfr gene were light inducible and cultivar dependant. Transgenic potato plants harboring antisense st-dfr (AS-DFR) sequences were analyzed. The accumulation of mRNA was nearly completely inhibited as a result of introducing an AS-DFR gene under the control of the 35S CaMV promoter into the red tuber skin Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desiree. The anthocyanin content of the tuber peels of the transgenic lines was dramatically decreased by up to 70%. The possible production of flavonols in the peels of AS-DFR transgenic potatoes was discussed.