Characterization of Highbush Blueberry (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.) Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Related MYBs and Functional Analysis of <i>VcMYB</i> Gene
As one of the most important transcription factors regulating plant anthocyanin biosynthesis, MYB has attracted great attentions. In this study, we identified fifteen candidate anthocyanin biosynthesis related MYB (ABRM) proteins, including twelve R2R3-MYBs and three 1R-MYBs, from highbush blueberry...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-01-01
|
| Series: | Current Issues in Molecular Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/45/1/27 |
| Summary: | As one of the most important transcription factors regulating plant anthocyanin biosynthesis, MYB has attracted great attentions. In this study, we identified fifteen candidate anthocyanin biosynthesis related MYB (ABRM) proteins, including twelve R2R3-MYBs and three 1R-MYBs, from highbush blueberry. The subcellular localization prediction results showed that, with the exception of VcRVE8 (localized in chloroplast and nucleus), all of the blueberry ABRMs were nucleus-localized. The gene structure analysis revealed that the exon numbers of the blueberry <i>ABRM</i> genes varied greatly, ranging between one and eight. There are many light-responsive, phytohormone-responsive, abiotic stress-responsive and plant growth and development related <i>cis</i>-acting elements in the promoters of the blueberry <i>ABRM</i> genes. It is noteworthy that almost all of their promoters contain light-, ABA- and MeJA-responsive elements, which is consistent with the well-established results that anthocyanin accumulation and the expression of <i>MYBs</i> are influenced significantly by many factors, such as light, ABA and JA. The gene expression analysis revealed that <i>VcMYB</i>, <i>VcMYB6</i>, <i>VcMYB23</i>, <i>VcMYBL2</i> and <i>VcPH4</i> are expressed abundantly in blueberry fruits, and <i>VcMYB</i> is expressed the highest in the red, purple and blue fruits among all blueberry <i>ABRMs</i>. <i>VcMYB</i> shared high similarity with functionally proven <i>ABRMs</i> from many other plant species. The gene cloning results showed that <i>VcMYB</i> had three variable transcripts, but only the transient overexpression of <i>VcMYB-1</i> promoted anthocyanin accumulation in the green fruits. Our study can provide a basis for future research on the anthocyanin biosynthesis related <i>MYBs</i> in blueberry. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1467-3037 1467-3045 |