CmMYB113 mediated red light-induced ethylene biosynthesis to modulate the ester aroma in oriental melon

Ester volatile is one of the most important indicators in oriental melon which affects the fruit quality. Our previous studies showed that red light (RL) mediated the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway through CmDof13 to modulate ester biosynthesis in oriental melon. Here, we found that RL promoted the ethylene production and the expression of CmACO1, CmMYB113 responded to ethylene and was induced by RL, as well as activating the key lipoxygenase pathway genes, CmLOX18 and CmAAT1. Besides, the key transcription factor (TF) CmDof13 responded to RL and activated the expression of CmMYB113. The co-expression of CmMYB113 and CmDof13 could synergistically promote the transcription of CmLOX18 and CmAAT1. Moreover, RL inhibited the expression of CmPIF8 and weakened the binding of CmMYB113 to enhance the ester biosynthesis. Taken together, CmMYB113 is a crucial convergence factor among RL, ethylene signaling and ester biosynthesis. Our research enriches the understanding of the ester biosynthesis induced by RL, and provides a basis for improving fruit flavor quality under greenhouse cultivation.