Unraveling the regulatory network of flower coloration in soybean: Insights into roles of GmMYBA3 and GmMYBR1
Ruifang Gao,
Yueqing Li,
Yanan Wang,
Xiaotong Shan,
Siqi Yang,
Ye Zhang,
Saiyu Ma,
Chunbao Zhang,
Jianchun Qin,
Li Wang,
Xiang Gao
Affiliations
Ruifang Gao
College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China
Yueqing Li
Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China; Corresponding authors.
Yanan Wang
Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China
Xiaotong Shan
Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China
Siqi Yang
Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China
Ye Zhang
Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China
Saiyu Ma
Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China
Chunbao Zhang
Soybean Research Institute, National Engineering Research Center for Soybean, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
Jianchun Qin
College of Plant Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, Jilin, China
Li Wang
Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China
Xiang Gao
Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE and Institute of Genetics & Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, Jilin, China; Corresponding authors.
Anthocyanins play crucial roles in pollen protection and pollinator attraction in flowering plants. However, the mechanisms underlying flower color determination and whether floral anthocyanin regulators participate in other processes remain largely unresolved in soybeans (Glycine max). In this study, we investigated the genetic components and mechanisms governing anthocyanin biosynthesis in soybean flowers. Molecular and genetic studies have characterized two antagonistic regulators, the positive activator GmMYBA3 and the negative repressor GmMYBR1, that modulate the gene expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis in soybean flowers. Further findings revealed a regulatory interplay between GmMYBA3 and GmMYBR1 bridged by GmTT8a, highlighting the complexity of anthocyanin regulation in different soybean organs. Exploration of additional soybean cultivars demonstrated the universality of GmMYBA3 and GmMYBR1 in regulating floral anthocyanin biosynthesis- related genes, with GmF3′5′H identified as a crucial determinant of white flower color. This study provides a molecular mechanism underlying soybean flower color determination, paving the way for the molecular modification of soybean flowers to probably enhance their resistance to abiotic stresses and attractiveness to pollinators.
