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Jasmonate-responsive MdMYC2/MdMED25 complex regulates malic acid accumulation in apples through the miR858-MdMYB73
Bo Zhang1,2, Zhen-Yu Huang3, Zi-Dun Wang2,4
1State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops (South China), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Horticulture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
A new pathway controlling apple acidity involves jasmonate (JA) signaling, a microRNA (miRNA), and vacuolar transport. This JA-MdMYC2/MdMED25-miR858-MdMYB73 cascade regulates malic acid accumulation, offering targets for fruit quality improvement.
Area of Science:
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Fruit Quality Research
- Hormonal Signaling in Plants
Background:
- Malic acid is key to apple fruit quality, impacting acidity and flavor.
- Transcriptional regulation of malic acid metabolism is known, but post-transcriptional control and jasmonate (JA) roles are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel regulatory pathways controlling malic acid accumulation in apple fruit.
- To investigate the role of JA signaling and microRNAs in post-transcriptional regulation of malic acid.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of a novel miRNA (mdm-miR858) and its target (MdMYB73).
- Analysis of JA-responsive transcription factors (MdMYC2) and Mediator complex subunits (MdMED25) involvement.
- Gene expression analysis, functional assays in apple calli and plantlets, and use of a miR858-resistant MdMYB73 variant.
Main Results:
- mdm-miR858 directly targets and cleaves MdMYB73, a positive regulator of malate transport.
- JA signaling, via MdMYC2 and MdMED25, activates mdm-miR858 expression, decreasing malic acid content.
- Manipulation of this pathway altered malic acid levels, confirming its regulatory role.
Conclusions:
- A novel JA-MdMYC2/MdMED25-miR858-MdMYB73 regulatory cascade controls malic acid accumulation in apple.
- This pathway links hormonal signaling to post-transcriptional regulation of fruit acidity.
- Provides new targets for enhancing apple fruit quality.
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