MYB28 and MYB29 transcription factors regulate iron homeostasis and coumarin synthesis in Arabidopsis
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ABSTRACT: Iron (Fe) deficiency is a major constraint for plant growth and triggers extensive physiological and transcriptional reprogramming to maintain Fe homeostasis. Here, we identify the glucosinolate-associated transcription factors MYB28 and MYB29 as previously unrecognized regulators of Arabidopsis adaptation to Fe deficiency. Across hydroponic, alkaline soil and in vitro growth systems, loss of MYB28 increased sensitivity to Fe deficiency, whereas the myb28myb29 double mutant displayed the strongest chlorosis, reduced root growth and impaired biomass accumulation, indicating cooperative but unequal functions of these transcription factors. Despite their enhanced Fe-deficiency phenotype, double mutant plants accumulated higher Fe levels in roots and exhibited stronger induction of canonical Fe-deficiency responses, suggesting impaired Fe utilization or distribution rather than defective Fe uptake. RNA-seq revealed extensive transcriptional reprogramming under Fe deficiency, with pronounced deregulation of genes involved in Fe homeostasis, redox processes and growth, particularly in the double mutant. Among these, SCOPOLETIN 8-HYDROXYLASE (S8H) emerged as a major MYB28-dependent gene. S8H induction by Fe deficiency was abolished in myb28 and myb28myb29, whereas expression of other coumarin biosynthetic genes remained largely unaffected. Promoter activation assays demonstrated that MYB28 activates the S8H promoter, and metabolic analyses showed accumulation of scopolin/scopoletin together with reduced fraxin/fraxetin levels in the mutants, consistent with impaired S8H activity. Collectively, our results identify MYB28 as a key regulator linking specialized metabolism to Fe homeostasis through control of coumarin biosynthesis, thereby expanding the biological functions of MYB28 and MYB29 transcription factors.
ORGANISM(S): Arabidopsis thaliana
PROVIDER: GSE341148 | GEO | 2026/09/09
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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