Abscisic acid promotes RBOH-dependent reactive oxygen species production and lignin biosynthesis in pears via the...

Pear stone cell lignification, a critical determinant of fruit texture and quality, is regulated by developmental and environmental cues, with abscisic acid (ABA) playing a central role. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its role in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated lignification remain unclear. Here, we show that PuABI5, a key component in ABA signaling, directly combines with PuMYB169, the master regulator of stone cell lignification, to modulate ROS production and lignin biosynthesis in pear fruit. Exogenous application of ABA enhances H₂O₂ and lignin accumulation in both pear fruits and calli, and ABA-activated PuABI5 positively regulates stone cell lignification. We demonstrate that ABA-induced PuABI5 binds directly to the PuMYB169 promoter and activates its expression to promote the transcription of PuRBOHF and lignin-related genes, thereby enhancing ROS production and lignin accumulation. Notably, PuABI5 interacted with PuMYB169 to enhance the induction of PuRBOHF expression, leading to elevated levels of H₂O₂, which feedback to strengthen the interaction between PuABI5 and PuMYB169. Collectively, our findings elucidate that ABA induces ROS-mediated lignification of stone cells in pears by activating the PuABI5-PuMYB169 transcriptional module.