5-Aminolevulinic acid activates the MdWRKY71-MdMADS1 module to enhance anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple.

ABSTRACT: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), as a natural plant growth regulator, is well known for promoting red fruit coloring by enhancing anthocyanin accumulation. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we firstly demonstrated that ALA upregulates gene expression of the transcription factor MdMADS1, which in turn directly binds to and activates transcription of the key anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, MdCHS and MdUFGT. Then, we identified a novel WRKY transcription factor, MdWRKY71, that interacts with MdMADS1. Through gene manipulation, we revealed that MdWRKY71 plays a pivotal role in ALA-induced anthocyanin accumulation, highlighting its regulatory significance in this process. Further investigation unveiled that MdWRKY71 not only activates MdMADS1 transcription but also e

SUBMITTER: Zhang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11789342 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature