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Article|01 Aug 2021|OPEN
McMYB4 improves temperature adaptation by regulating phenylpropanoid metabolism and hormone signaling in apple
Suxiao Hao1,2,3,4,5 , Yanfen Lu1,3,4 , Zhen Peng1,3,4 , Enying Wang3,4 , Linke Chao3,4 , Silin Zhong1,6 , , Yuncong Yao,1,3,4 ,
1Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Tree Breeding by Molecular Design, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
2Beijing Bei Nong Enterprise Management Co. Ltd, Beijing 102206, China
3Plant Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
4Beijing Key Laboratory for Agricultural Application and New Technique, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
5College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
6College of Life Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
*Corresponding author. E-mail: silin.zhong@gmail.com,yaoyc_20@126.com

Horticulture Research 8,
Article number: 182 (2021)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41438-021-00620-0
Views: 1034

Received: 31 Dec 2020
Revised: 06 May 2021
Accepted: 20 May 2021
Published online: 01 Aug 2021

Abstract

Temperature changes affect apple development and production. Phenylpropanoid metabolism and hormone signaling play a crucial role in regulating apple growth and development in response to temperature changes. Here, we found that McMYB4 is induced by treatment at 28 °C and 18 °C, and McMYB4 overexpression results in flavonol and lignin accumulation in apple leaves. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) further revealed that McMYB4 targets the promoters of the flavonol biosynthesis genes CHS and FLS and the lignin biosynthesis genes CAD and F5H. McMYB4 expression resulted in higher levels of flavonol and lignin biosynthesis in apple during growth at 28 °C and 18 °C than during growth at 23 °C. At 28 °C and 18 °C, McMYB4 also binds to the AUX/ARF and BRI/BIN promoters to activate gene expression, resulting in acceleration of the auxin and brassinolide signaling pathways. Taken together, our results demonstrate that McMYB4 promotes flavonol biosynthesis and brassinolide signaling, which decreases ROS contents to improve plant resistance and promotes lignin biosynthesis and auxin signaling to regulate plant growth. This study suggests that McMYB4 participates in the abiotic resistance and growth of apple in response to temperature changes by regulating phenylpropanoid metabolism and hormone signaling.