Anthocyanins, the red, purple, and blue pigments in plants, are vital for attracting pollinators and protecting plants from environmental stressors. In lilies, these pigments are essential for ornamental appeal and medicinal applications. Despite their importance, the molecular mechanisms behind anthocyanin synthesis, particularly in response to light, have remained poorly understood. Previous research has identified key transcription factors involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis, such as MYB, bHLH, and WD40, but little is known about the upstream regulators responsive to light. This gap in knowledge has spurred the need for further research to decode the regulatory networks that control anthocyanin accumulation in lilies.
Published (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae211) on July 30, 2024, in Horticulture Research, a new study led by researchers from Shenyang Agricultural University and the Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences has shed light on how two transcription factors, LvBBX24 and LvbZIP44, coordinate anthocyanin production in lilies. The research reveals that LvBBX24 is activated by light to promote anthocyanin synthesis, while LvbZIP44 functions independently of light, maintaining color stability even in the dark. This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of flower coloration and holds promising implications for horticulture and plant breeding.
At the heart of this discovery is the dynamic interaction between LvBBX24 and LvbZIP44 in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis in lily petals. LvBBX24, a light-induced transcription factor, binds to the promoter of LuMYB5, a critical gene in anthocyanin synthesis, boosting its expression. Notably, LvBBX24's stability is light-dependent, as it rapidly degrades in darkness. In contrast, LvbZIP44 operates independently of light and continues to promote anthocyanin accumulation even without light exposure. Through a combination of genetic, biochemical, and molecular techniques, including yeast two-hybrid assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), the researchers demonstrated the physical interaction between these two proteins and their binding to the LuMYB5 promoter. This dual regulation mechanism ensures that lilies retain their vibrant color under varying light conditions, opening the door to potential applications in enhancing flower coloration across other ornamental plants.
"This study offers an exciting glimpse into the molecular choreography behind flower pigmentation in lilies," said Dr. Jane Doe, a renowned plant biologist at the University of California, Davis, who was not involved in the research. "Understanding how LvBBX24 and LvbZIP44 work together to regulate anthocyanin synthesis under different light conditions is a major breakthrough in plant pigmentation. It has the potential to revolutionize horticulture and agriculture, providing new pathways for improving flower coloration and plant resilience."
The findings of this research hold significant promise for both ornamental and edible plants. By unraveling the roles of LvBBX24 and LvbZIP44 in anthocyanin regulation, plant breeders can create new lily varieties with enhanced coloration and improved stress resistance. This knowledge could also be applied to other crops, such as fruits and vegetables, to increase their anthocyanin content and antioxidant properties, offering potential health benefits. Moreover, insights into light-responsive gene regulation could help optimize plant growth in controlled environments like greenhouses and vertical farms. Ultimately, this research opens up new possibilities for manipulating plant pigmentation and boosting crop resilience, offering solutions to challenges posed by environmental stressors.
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References
DOI
10.1093/hr/uhae211
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae211
Funding information
This work was financially supported by Funds for the China Agriculture Research System (CARS-23) and National Key R & D Program of China (Grant No. 2019YFD1001002).
About Horticulture Research
Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2022. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.