Budding mutation reprogrammed flavonoid biosynthesis in jujube by deploying MYB41 and bHLH93

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics
• Metabolomics
• Molecular biology

Background:

• Budding mutations can induce metabolic alterations in fruit crops like jujube.
• The precise molecular mechanisms driving these metabolic changes remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the metabolic landscape and regulatory mechanisms of a jujube budding mutation line (S2) compared to its parent (S1).
• To identify key genes and transcription factors responsible for metabolic variations in S2 fruits.

Main Methods:

• Multi-omics analysis (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) across all fruit developmental stages.
• Co-expression regulatory network analysis to identify transcription factor-gene interactions.
• Gene overexpression experiments to validate regulatory roles.

Main Results:

• Significant upregulation of genes involved in flavonoid, phenylpropanoid, and amino acid biosynthesis (e.g., PAL, DFR) in S2 fruits.
• Identification of transcription factors MYB41 and bHLH93 as potential direct regulators of PAL and DFR, respectively.
• Overexpression of MYB41 or bHLH93 confirmed their role in redirecting metabolic flux towards high accumulation of related compounds in S2.

Conclusions:

• Budding mutation in jujube leads to distinct metabolic profiles driven by specific gene regulatory networks.
• MYB41 and bHLH93 are crucial regulators of flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in S2.
• Findings provide a foundation for utilizing budding mutation lines in breeding superior jujube varieties with enhanced metabolic traits.