Jasmonate-Activated AaWRKY9-AabHLH93/AabHLH93-AaMYB7 Complexes Balance Artemisinin Biosynthesis in Artemisia annua.

ABSTRACT: Artemisinin, an antimalarial sesquiterpene lactone, is biosynthesized in glandular trichomes of Artemisia annua. Although numerous transcription factors have been demonstrated to regulate artemisinin biosynthesis, the molecular mechanisms underlying the high expression of artemisinin-associated biosynthetic enzyme and transcription factor genes in young leaves and their marked decline during leaf maturation remain elusive. Here, we identify a trichome-enriched bHLH transcription factor, AabHLH93, through yeast two-hybrid screening using AaWRKY9 as bait. Yeast one-hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate that AabHLH93 directly binds to the AaCYP71AV1 promoter. Furthermore, overexpressing AabHLH93 elevates artemisinin levels, while its RNAi suppresses artemisinin biosynth

SUBMITTER: Fu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12946470 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature